WWF-India’s Initiative for Conservation Himalayan High Altitude Wetlands
Himalayan high altitude wetlands (3000 m asl) are crucial for biodiversity and sustainable economic growth not only locally but also at the river basin and regional levels. One of the most unique and most productive ecosystems in the western Himalaya is high altitude wetlands. In the lap of lofty snow-clad mountains of Himachal Pradesh, there are myriad lakes with cool and serene water, which mirror the immense beauty of this paradise on the earth. In the state there are very few natural wetlands which have developed by tectonic movements, glacial activities and changing river courses. Besides these, a few wetlands have developed by impounding large volume of river water. These wetlands are important for the survival of wildlife in the region and for the mountain communities who directly or indirectly deepened upon these wetlands for their livelihoods. These wetlands are also important for food production, environmental protection, soil and water conservation, flood management, wildlife conservation, recreation, aesthetic setting. Many lakes in the state attract large number of tourists, pilgrims. These wetlands are also have large body of avian fauna especially during summer months. These lakes are part of the cultural ethos of the local inhabitants and in many places, religious sanctity is given to them. The surrounding area of wetlands are repository Of flora, especially medicinal herbs.
Yet to despite their importance, they are under increasing threats from climate change, tourist and unsustainable exploitation for the wetlands themselves and also of the catchments draining into them. At present in Himachal Pradesh most of these high altitude wetlands are under tremendous pressure as a result of increasing population and unregulated development activities. Some of these wetlands are also being degraded as a result of unplanned and unregulated tourism activities. Some wetlands are also degraded by over grazing pressure and human interference. Due to religious importance some of wetlands in Himachal Pradesh like Manimahesh is degraded by pilgrims by throwing worship material in the sacred lake. These lakes are also deteriorating by the local people. It is customary to take holy dip in the lake and some time people leave their clothes in the lake. Other major threats and issues on these high altitude wetlands are high pressure of pilgrims, tourists, trekkers and their unmanaged activities, unscientific extraction of medicinal plants around wetlands, over grazing surrounding the catchment of wetlands, sanitation, dwindling size and diminishing life span of wetlands, facing siltation problems (e.g. Chandartal, Dasher and Dal lake), receding glacial and fluctuations in temperature, unawareness of the wetlands importance, erosion of the surrounding catchments denuded due to deforestation, grazing etc., pose extremely serious threats of siltation in wetlands, lack of local database on wetlands, wildlife, natural resources, endangered rare and vulnerable species, lack of wetlands conservation groups and lack of coordination between different stakeholders. The threats from unregulated tourism is also more serious for high altitude wetlands as peak period of tourism in these area is also the peak period of biological activities.
Keeping in view the importance of high altitude wetlands WWF-India initiated a conservation programme “Saving Wetlands Sky-High! A high altitude wetlands conservation programme in the Hindu Kush Karakorum Himalaya”. Himachal Pradesh is one of the project site of this programme. Initiatives are taken by WWF-India to conserve and manage these High altitude wetlands through scientific and participatory approach for human well beings.
WWF-India, Field Office, Shimla after starting this project in June, 2008 have first time documented in the state more than 20 high altitude wetlands (above 3000 m) in Chamba, Kullu Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla and Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. To involve all the stakeholder in this conservation programme WWF have organised various environmental awareness trainings and workshops for wetlands conservation through out the Himachal Pradesh. Among different stakeholders are students, teachers, PRIs, NGOs, CBOs, tour operators, tourist guide, forest field staff, researchers, Mahila Mandal and Indian Army.
Himalayan high altitude wetlands (3000 m asl) are crucial for biodiversity and sustainable economic growth not only locally but also at the river basin and regional levels. One of the most unique and most productive ecosystems in the western Himalaya is high altitude wetlands. In the lap of lofty snow-clad mountains of Himachal Pradesh, there are myriad lakes with cool and serene water, which mirror the immense beauty of this paradise on the earth. In the state there are very few natural wetlands which have developed by tectonic movements, glacial activities and changing river courses. Besides these, a few wetlands have developed by impounding large volume of river water. These wetlands are important for the survival of wildlife in the region and for the mountain communities who directly or indirectly deepened upon these wetlands for their livelihoods. These wetlands are also important for food production, environmental protection, soil and water conservation, flood management, wildlife conservation, recreation, aesthetic setting. Many lakes in the state attract large number of tourists, pilgrims. These wetlands are also have large body of avian fauna especially during summer months. These lakes are part of the cultural ethos of the local inhabitants and in many places, religious sanctity is given to them. The surrounding area of wetlands are repository Of flora, especially medicinal herbs.
Yet to despite their importance, they are under increasing threats from climate change, tourist and unsustainable exploitation for the wetlands themselves and also of the catchments draining into them. At present in Himachal Pradesh most of these high altitude wetlands are under tremendous pressure as a result of increasing population and unregulated development activities. Some of these wetlands are also being degraded as a result of unplanned and unregulated tourism activities. Some wetlands are also degraded by over grazing pressure and human interference. Due to religious importance some of wetlands in Himachal Pradesh like Manimahesh is degraded by pilgrims by throwing worship material in the sacred lake. These lakes are also deteriorating by the local people. It is customary to take holy dip in the lake and some time people leave their clothes in the lake. Other major threats and issues on these high altitude wetlands are high pressure of pilgrims, tourists, trekkers and their unmanaged activities, unscientific extraction of medicinal plants around wetlands, over grazing surrounding the catchment of wetlands, sanitation, dwindling size and diminishing life span of wetlands, facing siltation problems (e.g. Chandartal, Dasher and Dal lake), receding glacial and fluctuations in temperature, unawareness of the wetlands importance, erosion of the surrounding catchments denuded due to deforestation, grazing etc., pose extremely serious threats of siltation in wetlands, lack of local database on wetlands, wildlife, natural resources, endangered rare and vulnerable species, lack of wetlands conservation groups and lack of coordination between different stakeholders. The threats from unregulated tourism is also more serious for high altitude wetlands as peak period of tourism in these area is also the peak period of biological activities.
Keeping in view the importance of high altitude wetlands WWF-India initiated a conservation programme “Saving Wetlands Sky-High! A high altitude wetlands conservation programme in the Hindu Kush Karakorum Himalaya”. Himachal Pradesh is one of the project site of this programme. Initiatives are taken by WWF-India to conserve and manage these High altitude wetlands through scientific and participatory approach for human well beings.
WWF-India, Field Office, Shimla after starting this project in June, 2008 have first time documented in the state more than 20 high altitude wetlands (above 3000 m) in Chamba, Kullu Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla and Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. To involve all the stakeholder in this conservation programme WWF have organised various environmental awareness trainings and workshops for wetlands conservation through out the Himachal Pradesh. Among different stakeholders are students, teachers, PRIs, NGOs, CBOs, tour operators, tourist guide, forest field staff, researchers, Mahila Mandal and Indian Army.
Great job Buddy !! this blog will surely spread around the word on environmental issues.
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