Changing Outlook on Harnessing Biodiversity Values – A Special Focus on Indian Himalaya

Authors

  • Ranbeer Rawal G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE), Kosi-Katarmal, Uttarakhand, India
  • Vikram S. Negi G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora-263643, Uttarakhand, India
  • Indra D. Bhatt G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora-263643, Uttarakhand, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/jgeu0975-1416.914

Keywords:

Biodiversity conservation, medicinal plants, restoration, tradi- tional crops, wild edibles.

Abstract

The Himalaya, as provider of goods and range of ecosystem services, is vital
for sustaining life of millions of people in uplands and billions in lowlands.
Indian National Action Plan on Climate Change has recognized the region
vital for ecological security of the country. However, growing demand for
bio-resources, combined with inadequate appreciation for values of goods
and services provided by Himalayan biodiversity, has led to the unsustainable
use of these resources, leading to environmental degradation in the region.
The paper also looks into the scenario as to how recent pandemic of COVID
19 has brought increased focus of people on bio-resources of the region.
More importantly it has suggested conservation and sustainable utilization
of biodiversity to ensure for sustaining the continuous flow of ecosystem
services and goods. Biodiversity in the region provides several opportunities,
however, under changing scenario, we need to think afresh and differently on
possibilities of finding better and optimal livelihood options, and the issues
of conservation in the region. In this context, larger focus on conservation
education has been stressed as a way forward. This paper attempts to build
a case for the biodiversity in Indian Himalayan Region through a SWOT assessment. Certain cases have been elaborated wherein the outlook has
changed to harness the values.

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Author Biographies

Ranbeer Rawal, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE), Kosi-Katarmal, Uttarakhand, India

Late Ranbeer Rawal (26.4.1965–23.4.2021) obtained his Ph.D. in Botany
from Kumaun University, Nainital, and has research experience of over 30
years. He has been associated with GBP-NIHE for the past 25 years as a
scientist, and as Director from 2018–2021 (April 23). His specialization was
in floristic ecology and conservation biology. He has published more than
200 peer reviewed papers. His work on ex-situ conservation models, partici-
patory conservation education and transboundary landscape management has
been recognized globally. Dr. Rawal has coordinated and supervised various
national, international and trans-boundary projects. He has contributed to
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Services (IPBES) as a lead author, and was elected ‘Sectional President’ of
Environmental Science section of ‘Indian Science Congress 2020’

Vikram S. Negi, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora-263643, Uttarakhand, India

Vikram S. Negi is working as a Scientist ‘E’ at Center for Biodiver-
sity Conservation and Management (CBCM), G.B. Pant National Institute
of Himalayan Environment (GBP-NIHE), Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarak-
hand. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from H.N.B. Garhwal
University, Srinagar (Garhwal). His field of specialization includes Forest
Ecology, Phytosociology and Long-term ecological monitoring of plant bio-
diversity. He has published 120 research papers, chapters in edited books/
proceedings, scientific popular articles, and manuals/ monographs. He has
been conferred with Young Scientist Awards (in 2010, 2011, 2012) for
significant R&D works. In addition, he has been awarded as a Fellow in
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and DST Fast Track Young Scientist
in 2014, and 106th Indian Science Congress in 2019

Indra D. Bhatt, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora-263643, Uttarakhand, India

Indra D. Bhatt, M.Sc., Ph.D. in Plant Science has over 20 years of
research experience in different position and currently holding Scientist F and
Head Centre for Biodiversity Conservation and Management at GBPNIHE,
Almora. He has wide experience of working with multidisciplinary, multi-
national team of scientists and currently working as Lead author for Cross
Chapter paper on “Mountain” and Chapter 5 – “Food, fiber and ecosystem
products”, IPCC working group II – Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. He is a member of Commission of Ecosystem Management of IUCN and was
an elected ‘Sectional President’ of Environmental Science Section of 106th
Indian Science Congress 2019. He has published over 120 research papers
having over 3700 citation and 32 h index. His work is largely focused on
conservation and sustainable use of Himalayan biodiversity.

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Published

2021-05-25

How to Cite

Rawal, R., Negi, V. S., & Bhatt, I. D. (2021). Changing Outlook on Harnessing Biodiversity Values – A Special Focus on Indian Himalaya. Journal of Graphic Era University, 9(1), 55–82. https://doi.org/10.13052/jgeu0975-1416.914

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