Uttarakhand forest department conserved 2,228 plant species, 120 of them endangered
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Forest Department's research wing on Friday released its annual report on conserved plant species, and it's greener than ever.
From rare orchids to insectivorous plants, a total of 2,228 species have been conserved in the Himalayan state. Among them are 120 endangered species, including the striking White Himalayan Lily and the graceful Tree Fern, with 75 of these listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
These plant species have been conserved through in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures across seven different forest ranges of its research wing --- Haldwani, Jeolikote, Ranikhet, Pithoragarh, Gopeshwar, Dehradun, and Uttarkashi.
Ex-situ means conservation of species outside their natural habitats while in-situ means conservation of species in the same habitat where they are found.
'The conserved plant species include 120 species currently listed under threatened/endangered categories, of which 75 species are in Red List of IUCN. Some of these threatened/endangered that are being conserved include White Himalayan Lilly (Lilium polyphyllum), Trayman (Gentiana kurroo), Atees (Aconitum heterophyllum), Seeta ashok (Saraca asoca), Dolu (Rheum webbianum), Patwa (Meizotropis pellita), Himalyan Golden spike (Eremostachys superba) and Tree fern (Cyathea spinulosa),' chief conservator of forests (CCF) and in charge state forest research wing Sanjeev Chaturvedi said.
'The conservation measures are aimed at germplasm conservation of these species in case they disappear from the wild due to any reason. Germplasm conservation means preserving the genetic diversity of a particular plant by collecting its seeds or growing it in its habitat or outside its habitat for preserving its gene pool,' he added.
Chaturvedi said the annual report was first released in year 2020, when number of conserved plant species was 1145. 'And in five years, number of plant species conserved by our research wing doubled. The idea behind release of this report is to counter the concept of 'Plant Blindness'. The term coined in 1998 by Elisabeth Schussler and James Wandersee, a pair of US botanists and biology educators, indicates under appreciation of plants – and in a limited interest in plant conservation. Plant conservation not only matters for environmental health but also for human health, in the long run,' Chaturvedi said.
Out of these 2228 plant species, there are 528 tree species, 187 herbs, 175 shrubs, 46 bamboo, 88 wild climbers, 12 species of cane, 107 grasses, 192 ferns, 115 orchids, 88 palm, 31 cycads, 290 cacti and succulents, 50 aquatic plants, 29 insectivorous plants, 86 lichens, 118 bryophytes, 14 species of algae and 15 species of air plants. 'In the conserved list, there are 60 species that are endemic to Uttarakhand/Indian Himalayan Region. Endemic species are the species or taxonomic group which is within a restricted geographic area, naturally found only in that particular region,' he said.
He added that conserved plants which are endemic to Uttarakhand/ Indian Himalayan Region include Tumri, Jamoi, Moru, Kumaon Fan Palm, Patwa, Emroyi, Ganiya, Bhimal and so on.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Indian Express
How climate change and rapid development are pushing the Himalayan region to the brink
'The Himalayas are sounding alarm,' Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav warned at a climate summit in Kathmandu in May. 'As a consequence of global warming due to human activity, glaciers are retreating, threatening the future of water security for populations downstream.' Yadav's remarks mirror a growing consensus among environmentalists and scientists who warn that unchecked construction, coupled with global warming, is causing severe and potentially irreversible damage to mountain ecosystems. Scientific studies have long shown that Himalayan glaciers are melting at an unprecedented pace due to climate change, threatening water availability, agriculture and livelihoods. According to a 2019 research article Acceleration of ice loss across the Himalayas over the past 40 years, published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, 'glaciers across the Himalayas experienced significant ice loss over the past 40 years, with the average rate of ice loss twice as rapid in the 21st century compared to the end of the 20th century.' 'Due to global warming, Himalayan glaciers are continuously depleting, forming artificial lakes known as GLOFs (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods). When they burst, they wreak havoc. We saw this recently at South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim, which caused a devastating flood in the Teesta River valley in October 2023… It destroyed the Teesta III hydroelectric dam and caused widespread damage,' says Guman Singh, environmental activist and coordinator at Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, a grassroots movement advocating for a sustainable, mountain-specific development model in the Himalayas. A similar GLOF was behind the 2013 Kedarnath floods, which claimed over 6,000 lives. Another catastrophe occurred in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district on February 7, 2021, when an ice-rock avalanche triggered flash floods, killing over 200 people and destroying hydroelectric projects. Scientists and environmentalists warn that such floods are likely to become more frequent in India's hill states as climate change accelerates the melting of glaciers. According to a report Monitoring of Glaciers, Climate, and Runoff in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya Mountains, published in the South Asia Water Initiative, remote sensing data estimates that there are around 7,500 glacier lakes in Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Of these, 190 are classified as 'very high' risk for causing a GLOF. Singh also draws attention to riverbed encroachments. 'When massive water flow meets narrowed river channels, it causes large-scale destruction. We saw this during the 2023 Himachal floods when rivers changed course and entered human settlements, leaving hundreds dead,' he says. 'You cannot tame a river.' Infrastructure boom, ecological bust The Himalayan region is witnessing a rapid infrastructure push — highways, tunnels, hydropower plants — posing a significant threat to its delicate ecology, they often ignore local geology and environmental constraints. 'The government's infrastructure projects have penetrated deep into the Himalayas, threatening the region's overall health. Roads are being constructed without considering the fragile geology, using techniques suited for the plains,' says environmentalist Ravi Chopra, who chaired the Supreme Court panel reviewing the Char Dham highway project in 2019. He later resigned when construction continued despite the panel's warnings about severe ecological risks. Chopra also criticised the disregard for the mountains' carrying capacity, an issue echoed by senior environment journalist Hridayesh Joshi. 'Joshimath is one of several places facing land subsidence. The Mishra Committee, back in 1976, had already warned that Joshimath was vulnerable, built on landslide debris, and worsened by blasting activities. Yet, the development model continues to ignore these warnings,' says Joshi. The situation raises urgent questions. Can a seismically active, hydrologically complex, and geologically unstable region bear the pressure of mega projects? 'Hydropower projects in the Himalayas face two constant and serious threats — catastrophic earthquakes and destructive floods triggered by glacial lake outbursts. What happens if these dams fail during such events? What will become of the region? Scientific studies have long warned of a powerful earthquake, exceeding magnitude 8, striking this area. Why, then, are we not prioritising sustainable development for the region?' aks Singh. Meadows turning into dumpyards Plastic pollution is another mounting crisis in the Himalayas. A viral video recently showed plastic bags, bottles, and animals rummaging through a forest in Kasol, Himachal Pradesh — not a landfill, but a tourist spot. Similar visuals from Parvati Valley depict garbage heaps and polluted rivers. When you enter Himachal, you pay a green tax in the name of nature conservation — and this is what the government and administration do with those crores: openly dumping garbage in forests and near rivers. Welcome to Kasol, an international tourist hub turning into a dump! — Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) May 27, 2025 'This is not an isolated case,' says Joshi. 'Many ecologically sensitive zones are turning into dumping grounds. Waste is often discarded behind hotels and resorts, with little regulatory oversight.' According to reports, Shimla generates approximately 2,800 tonnes of solid waste, while Manali produces over 1,100 tonnes per month. These are the numbers that double during tourist season. In response, the Himachal government in May this year approved a scheme requiring a refundable deposit on non-biodegradable items to incentivise return and recycling. But the problem runs deeper. According to an alliance by Zero Waste Himalaya, an anti-waste collective of NGOs, an organisation based in Gangtok, and the Integrated Mountain Initiative based in Dehradun, single-use food and beverage packaging accounts for 84% of the plastic waste in the region. Alarmingly, 70% of plastic waste collected across the Himalayan belt is non-recyclable and has no market value. 'The authorities are inviting tourists in large numbers without any waste management plan. If you generate revenue, you must manage the waste too,' says Singh, urging tourists to 'carry your garbage back with you. The mountains cannot absorb such massive piles of waste.' The perils of an unregulated tourism Tourism in the Himalayas is booming, and so is the damage, pushing the fragile mountain ecosystem to its limits. According to the Himachal government's 'Economic Survey' report for FY 2024-25, the state recorded its highest tourist footfall in five years, 1.8 crore domestic tourists and 83,000 foreign visitors. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand reported 5.96 crore visitors in 2023, up from 3.68 crore in 2018, according to the state's tourism department. 'Unregulated tourism is stripping this ecologically sensitive region of its natural character,' says Mansi Asher of Himdhara, Environment Research and Action Collective, an autonomous, non-registered environment research and action collective based in Himachal Pradesh. 'Religious tourism is being promoted in an unstructured, unregulated way. Helicopters swarm over sensitive areas like Kedarnath, which is a wildlife sanctuary. Laser shows, ropeway movements, and excessive noise pollution exceed permitted decibel levels,' says Joshi. Bachi Singh Bisht, of Janmaitri Sangathan, adds, 'Helicopters fly from dawn to dusk in Kedarnath Valley, affecting locals, including schoolchildren, some of whom are now partially deaf.' Unregulated tourism is also fueling outmigration. As per 2011 Census, the population in most of the mountain districts of Uttarakhand declined. There was an absolute decline of 17868 persons in the population of Almora and Pauri Garhwal districts between 2001 and 2011. 'Migration is growing, traditional livelihoods are vanishing, and the ecological backbone of the Himalayas is buckling', Bisht says. What can save the Himalayas? Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, growing human-wildlife conflict, depleting water sources, and an alarming increase in landslides, floods, heatwaves, forest fires, and droughts are quickly becoming the new normal in the Himalayan region. But what is the cure? Experts say that top-down solutions are failing. 'Multinational consultancies are being brought in to tackle problems that require local understanding, while the knowledge and experience of local communities are being overlooked. This approach must change,' says Mansi. Singh believes the Infrastructure development also needs a major shift. 'We don't need large-scale infrastructure projects. What we need is small-scale, sustainable development. Tourism should be decentralised, focusing on lesser-known destinations rather than building up major hotspots. We must adopt a policy that ties conservation with livelihood generation.' Is it possible to balance development with sustainability while promoting tourism? Joshi thinks so, but not with the current strategy. 'We should revive the traditional style of pilgrimage, which lasted for months, supported local economies, and was deeply harmonious with nature.' Parveen K Dogra is Assistant Editor at and is based in New Delhi. ... Read More
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Ist-ever' raptor survey in Pithoragarh records 24 species
Pithoragarh: The Uttarakhand forest department and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-India) jointly conducted a "first-of-its-kind" raptor survey in the Pithoragarh district, recording a total of 24 species. A follow-up survey focusing on the higher Himalayan region is planned for the near future, officials said on Wednesday. This initial phase of the survey was carried out from May 22 to 30 and covered areas below 2,500 meters in elevation. According to Abhimanyu Singh, divisional forest officer (DFO), Pithoragarh, the survey team included four members from WWF-India along with frontline forest staff including forest guards, foresters, and deputy rangers. "During the survey, 24 species of raptors were documented, including eagles, kites, falcons and buzzards," Singh said. Among the species observed were five resident vulture species, notably the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus). Their presence reaffirms the conservation significance of the Pithoragarh landscape for these apex avian predators, officials said. "This survey forms an important part of a broader initiative to establish robust baseline data on raptor diversity, distribution, and habitat use across the state. The findings will support future efforts in raptor conservation and behavioral studies," Singh added The next phase of the survey, focusing on areas above 2,500 meters in the Byas, Chaudas, Darma valleys and Milam region of Munsyari, will be conducted soon. "Raptors in the higher Himalayas differ significantly in terms of habitat, food chains and behaviour compared to those in lower elevations," the DFO said.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Critically endangered vultures rewilded after landmark rehab effort in Maha
In a step towards conservation, three White-Rumped Vultures – classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List — have been successfully reintroduced into the wild after over three years in captivity. The release - carried out on May 22 in Sawarna, Nashik – is the result of a joint initiative between the Maharashtra forest department and Pune-based RESQ Charitable Trust. The three vultures were among four that had been transferred in October 2024 from Mumbai to the Wildlife Transit Treatment Centre (TTC), Pune, which specialises in recovery and release of injured or captive wildlife. When the birds first arrived in Pune, they were in a critical condition — suffering from severe nutritional deficiencies, deteriorated plumage, and a lack of basic survival instincts. One bird, later diagnosed as immunocompromised, succumbed to a chronic infection despite intensive care. The remaining three underwent a rigorous, science-led rehabilitation process. 'We focused on every element that affects survival in the wild—from restoring muscle strength and flight to reconditioning ground feeding behaviours,' said Dr Sushrut Shirbhate, senior veterinarian at RESQ CT. Over a period of seven months, the vultures showed remarkable improvement, transitioning from reluctant feeders to strong, self-reliant scavengers. Their progress was monitored through regular radiographs, blood tests, and morphometric evaluations. Behavioural conditioning was equally prioritised in that they were trained for sustained flight, thermoregulation, perching and social feeding with minimal human contact inside a dedicated aviary. Ahead of the release, all three vultures were ringed for identification. The largest among them was also fitted with a solar-powered GPS tracker to enable long-term post-release monitoring. Early tracking reports show that these birds have integrated into a wild flock and are exhibiting normal behaviour. Mahadev Mohite, deputy conservator of forests, Pune division, said, 'These birds weren't just from the same species—they were siblings. Releasing them into an existing wild population not only avoids inbreeding but helps rebuild natural social structures essential for the species' survival.' Initial tracking following release was conducted jointly by the Nashik forest department and RESQ CT's field team. It showed that the vultures have adapted well to their new environment. Monitoring will continue over the coming weeks to ensure long-term success. Once a common sight across India, White-Rumped Vultures have suffered a catastrophic population collapse of over 99% in recent decades, largely due to poisoning from the veterinary drug diclofenac, as well as habitat loss and food scarcity. Maharashtra is among the few states that still hosts remnant populations, particularly in ecologically rich zones like Nashik. Neha Panchamiya, founder and president of RESQ CT, said, 'Rehabilitating and releasing vultures is not only ethical—it is strategic. These birds perform an essential ecological function as scavengers. Their return reduces the burden on rescue centres, restores balance to ecosystems, and gives us hope that critically endangered species can still make a comeback.'
