Uttarakhand's Grassland Conservation SOP | 27 Nov 2024
Why in News?
The forest department of Uttarakhand government will prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) to conserve grasslands in the Upper Himalayan Region of the state.
- This initiative aims to address the increasing frequency of landslides and land subsidence caused by both natural and human activities.
Key Points
- Grassland Conservation Initiatives:
- Dayara Bugyal, a sensitive ecological area, has shown positive results from previous ecological restoration efforts. To extend these benefits to other grasslands, the forest department plans to develop a SOP for conservation.
- This SOP will focus on reducing biological pressure and preventing further degradation.
- So far, conservation work has been carried out on approximately 83 hectares of land across 22 grasslands under the Bugyal Conservation Scheme.
- Dayara Bugyal, a sensitive ecological area, has shown positive results from previous ecological restoration efforts. To extend these benefits to other grasslands, the forest department plans to develop a SOP for conservation.
- Snow Leopard Conservation Center:
- During their visit, the officials also inspected a snow leopard conservation center under construction at Lanka near Gangotri.
- The center is expected to be ready within a year, offering tourists an opportunity to experience the natural environment and observe snow leopards in their habitat.
- Gangotri National Park has emerged as a significant trans-Himalayan national park over the past decade.
- The Wildlife Institute of India has recorded a substantial presence of snow leopards in the park, which was relatively unknown until recently.
- During their visit, the officials also inspected a snow leopard conservation center under construction at Lanka near Gangotri.