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TRAINING COMPLETION REPORT

For

Training Programme on Para-taxonomy (PBR Focused)

Under

GoI-UNDP-GEF Project “SECURE Himalaya”

Submitted by:

HP ENVIS Hub

HP Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE)

Vigyan Bhawan, Bemloe, Shimla - 171001

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TRAINING COMPLETION REPORT

Introduction The training programme on “Para-taxonomy with focus on Peoples Biodiversity Register

(PBR)” was a short-term programme of 4 weeks duration (28-30 days). This training program

aimed at imparting basic awareness on the common flora and fauna for preparations of Peoples

Biodiversity Register (PBR) in areas under GoI-UNDP-GEF Project, i.e., Lahaul, Pangi and

Kinnaur Landscapes of Himachal Pradesh.

The Himalayan region, with its diverse climatic conditions, is home to many uncommon,

endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna. The vast natural wealth of the Himalayan

fauna is now being directly affected by anthropogenic activities like hunting and poaching, and

indirectly affected by activities like deforestation, which impacts their habitats. Large dam

projects over several major Himalayan rivers and construction of roads in virgin landscapes

coupled with the effects of climate change are slowly exerting a pressure on the species found in

the region. Thus, while appreciating the bounty of faunal diversity of this magnificent landscape,

we must also understand the threats it faces.

This training programme aimed at imparting training to the local youth on various aspects of

Para-taxonomy in order to ensure their roles in nature conservation along with generation of

their livelihoods.

The participants were trained in floral and faunal identification, making Peoples Biodiversity

Register (PBR), traditional knowledge, resource mapping through Grid Based Decision Support

System (GRIDSS) and Waste Minimization through classroom teaching and field visits.

Advertisement

Advertisement regarding this Training Program was published in two newspapers viz. The

Tribune & Amar Ujala for wide publicity on 05/09/2019. Snapshots of advertisements are as

below:

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An application form for the Training Program was also designed and uploaded on HIMCOSTE

website along with the advertisements in Hindi & English.

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In response to above advertisement, a total of 18 applications were received. Out of these 3

applicants did not fulfil the eligibility criteria and hence were rejected. Nine students, 6 from

Chamba (Pangi), 2 from Lahaul & Spiti and 1 from Shimla were selected under this Training

Program after conducting interview on 9th October, 2019 as per details below: -

Sr.

No.

Name Education

Qualification

Contact No. Email From

1 Radhika Bhan B.Sc (Zoology) 8219190563 radhikabhan13@

gmail.com

Lahaul&Spiti

2 Sonakshi Verma B.Sc.(Forestry

Hons.)

8219020682 sonakshiverma82@

gmail.com

Shimla

3 Anjna Kumari +2 (Medical) 7650840557 Pangi, Chamba

4 Priya +2 (Medical) 8988648730 Pangi, Chamba

5 Sudesh Kumari +2 (Medical) 8988457183 Pangi, Chamba

6 Shiv Raj +2 (Medical) 8988882802 shiva.bodh5@

gmail.com

Lahaul&Spiti

7 Rajender Kumar +2 (Medical) 8988137259 Pangi, Chamba

8 Sher Singh +2 (Medical) 8988076511 Pangi, Chamba

9 Satindera

Kumari

+2 (Medical) 9418167334 puranthakur60@

gmail.com

Pangi, Chamba

The Training Program on Para-taxonomy (PBR Focused) under GoI-UNDP-GEF Project

“SECURE Himalaya” was formally inaugurated on 10th October, 2019 in the Conference Hall of

HIMCOSTE in the presence of Dr. Savita, PCCF (Wildlife), Dr. S.P. Bhardwaj, Retd Associate

Director, Regional Fruit Research Station, UHF, Nauni, Dr. Anil Thakur, CCF (Wildlife), Sh.

Manoj Thakur, State Project Officer (SECURE Himalaya), Dr. Aparna Sharma, SSO-cum-

ENVIS Coordinator and HP ENVIS team.

Methodology

The Training Program included theory as well as field visits for hands on training. Lectures on

following modules were delivered by eminent resource persons through power point

presentation and classroom lectures. To give exposure of Himalayan flora & fauna, field visits to

areas and institutions with in and around Shimla viz., Hail Himalayas, High Altitude Research

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Station of IHBT Palampur, HFRI, NBPGR and IARI were conducted under the guidance of

experts of HP Forest Department, Biodiversity Board, HP ENVIS Hub, etc. The course involved

following topics in context to Himachal Pradesh in general and SECURE Landscape in

particular:

Course Content

Duration: 35 Days

Sr. No. Title

1. Basic Concepts in Biodiversity and Taxonomy

2. Floral Diversity and Endemism

3. Field Surveys, Identification and Analysis of Flora &Fauna

4. Economic Botany and Traditional Knowledge

5. Peoples Biodiversity Register (PBR) for Sustainable Development

6. Wildlife Fauna Protection and Conservation

7. Waste Minimization

8. Basic Computer skills and GIS Hands on training

9. Field Visits and Practical Hands-on Trainings

The theory classes were started from 10th October, 2019 at HIMCOSTE.

Theory classes at HIMCOSTE

For the exposure on local biodiversity, students were taken to Nature Visit to Hail Himalaya,

Shoghi, Shimla on 11th October, 2019.

Nature Visit to Hail Himalayas

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From 19th to 26th October, 2019 students were taken on field tour to Jispa Valley, Lahaul & Spiti

district which falls under the SECURE Landscape accompanied by 2 experts Dr. Pankaj Sharma

and Mr. Abhishek from HP State Biodiversity Board (HPSBB) and Ms. Vandana from HP

ENVIS Hub. Due to fresh snowfall, there was less vegetation left in Jispa Valley. At Keylong,

students visited the Tribal Museum which was filled with local artefacts and herbarium of

medicinal plants. At IHBT Research Station Dr. Ashok Singh, Scientist demonstrated cultivation

and conservation of high-altitude medicinal plants.

On way back from Keylong, the students were taken to GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan

Environment & Sustainable Development, Mohal, Kullu where Dr. R.K Singh briefed the

technology and arboretum development which they opted for sustainable conservation of plants

found in Himalayas.

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Field visit to Jispa Valley & High-Altitude Research Station of IHBT,

Palampur at Udaipur, Keylong

Field visit to GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment &

Sustainable Development, Mohal, Kullu

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After Diwali break from 27th – 29thOct, theory classes resumed at HIMCOSTE from 30th

October, 2019.

For the practical knowledge on poisoning, mounting and preservation of plant specimens

(herbarium/museum) students were taken to Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI),

Panthaghati, Shimla on 4thNovember, 2019. Dr.Vaneet Jishtu, Scientist ‘D’ gave brief

introduction to students about HFRI after whichhe took a session on Para-taxonomy. Students

visited different labs in HFRI viz. Silviculture lab where Mr. Kuldesh Kumar, Sr. Technical

Assistant briefed them about Forest Management; Ecology lab where Ms. Shilpa Kumari briefed

about biodiversity and impacts of climate change on biodiversity and Ms. Sonika Sharma briefed

the students about Forest Genetics Management. After this students visited Herbarium Lab

where Mr. Kulwant Rai Gulshan briefed them about various herbarium techniques such as

collection, pressing, drying and poisoning, mounting and stitching, labelling, filling and

depositioning.

Lab visit to HFRI, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla

On 5th November, 2019, students visited the ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute’s

Regional Research Station at Dhanda, Totu, Shimla accompanied by Mr. Abhishek from

HPSBB. Dr. Kallol Kumar Parmanick, Head Principal Scientist and Dr. Arun Kumar Shukla,

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Principal Scientist briefed about the IARI Research Station, its operation, plant pathology and

various fruit varieties viz. apple, kiwi, almonds, walnut, apricot, etc. currently being researched

uponhere. The students also visited various fruit nurseries and learnt development techniques of

different varieties of fruits.

Lab visit to IARI, Shimla

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Timeline followed:

Sr. No Days Course

1. 1 Interview of Students and inaugural of course

2. 2-6 • Theory Classes at HIMCOSTE, Kasumpti, Shimla

• Nature Exposure visit to Hail Himalayas/ HFRI

3. 7-25 Hands on Training on making PBR at SECURE Landscape by

“HP State Biodiversity Board”

4. 26-34 • Theory Classes at HIMCOSTE, Kasumpti, Shimla

• Nature Exposure visit to NBPGR / IARI / CPRI

5. 35 Valedictory Function

List of Experts/ Resource Persons:

Sr. No. Name Designation

1. Dr. S.P. Bhardwaj Retd. Associate Director

2. Dr.Vaneet Jishtu Scientist ‘D’, HFRI

3. Dr. Anil Thakur Associate Professor, Govt Degree

College, Theog, Shimla

4. Dr. M.L. Thakur State Project Coordinator, HPSBB

5. Dr. Pankaj Thakur Sr. Scientific Professional, HPSBB

6. Dr. Rohit Chauhan Sr. Scientific Professional, AGiSAC

7. Mr. Santosh Thakur Forest Guard, HP Forest Dept.

8. Mr. Abhishek Scientific Professional, HPSBB

9. Mr. Kartik Thakur Master Trainer

10. Mr. Gaurav Kumar Master Trainer

The Chief Guest of the Valedictory Function was Dr. Savita, Principal Chief Conservator of

Forests (Wildlife Wing) of HP Forest Department. Sh. Anil Thakur, CCF (Wildlife Wing) and

Dr. S.P. Bhardwaj, Retd. Associate Director, Regional Fruit Research Station, UHF, Nauni, H.P.

Biodiversity Board were special guests on the occasion. A booklet on Biodiversity of Shimla,

Lahaul & Pangi Valleys prepared by HP ENVIS Hub was released by the Chief Guest. She

appreciated the efforts of HP ENVIS Hub in successfully conducting this training program and

said that this booklet would be of great help to students, young birders and field staff of the

Forest Department.

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Valedictory Function at HIMCOSTE, Shimla

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Media Coverage of Inaugural Programme

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Media Coverage of

Valedictory Programme