Steps Taken to Protect Ecology of Indian Himalayan Region

Steps Taken to Protect Ecology of Indian Himalayan Region

Considering the ecological sensitivity of the region, several initiatives are taken to protect the ecology of Indian Himalayan Region by the Govt. of India and Himalayan states through the Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem under National Action Plan on Climate Change and Himalayan Sustainable Development Forum (HSDF) under the Shimla Declaration adopted during the Himalayan Chief Ministers’ Conclave held at Shimla on Oct 29-30, 2009. Uttarakhand Forest Department undertakes Plantation activities in forest areas around the around Gangotri, Yamunotri and Badrinath dhams. Discussion paper prepared by Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), Government of India, on Himalayan Glaciers provides the review of information regarding the glacier retreat in the region, including Gangotri Glacier. Further, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development (GBPIHED) has undertaken studies on Gangotri glacier retreat, silt load in the glacial melt and water quality of river Bhagirathi originating from Gangotri glacier. A pilot study conducted by GBPIHED for MoEF entitled “Environmental and social impacts of hydropower projects in river Ganga basis (between Dharasu and Gangotri) in Uttarakhand” has indicated that the water quality parameters are within the permissible limit of the Bureau of Indian Standards. RM/RS (Release ID :94456)