Biodiversity Conservation under Changing Climate in Uttarakhand:

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Biodiversity Conservation under Changing
Climate in Uttarakhand Challenges Way Forward
G.S. Rawat Wildlife Institute of India
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Security for Food, Commodities, Health, Quality
of Life
Human Wellbeing
Essential component of
Ecosystem Services
Provisioning Food, fuel, Fibre, bio- chemicals,
genes
Regulating Climate, disease, Water quality,
Cultural Spiritual, Aesthetic
LSS soil formation, nutrient cycling, primary
production
Necessary for
Biodiversity Genes, species, ecosystems Structure,
function, composition
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Uttarakhand
1.63 of Indias Land Surface
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Diverse Ecosystems Habitats
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Diversity of Flora Fauna
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Charismatic Species
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Forest PA Coverage In UA
6
5
9
8
2
2
7
10
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Protected Areas
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11
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PAs 12.4 FC - 45
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Threats to Biodiversity

• Increasing human population
• Illegal trade of wildlife parts / medicinal
• plants
• Invasion of exotic species
• Poorly Planned Developmental Activities
• Climate Change

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Predicted Impacts of Climate Change
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• Changes in Ecosystems
• 
  ?

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Sensitive Ecosystems
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2. Degradation of Fragile Ecosystems
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Alpine Meadows (Bugyals)
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3. Invasion by Exotic Weeds
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4. Local Extinction of Sensitive Species
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5. Disease Outbreaks
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6. Loss of Agricultural Biodiversity
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Way Forward
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1. Proper Landuse and Conservation
Planning
i. Green Belt for Shivaliks
ii. Restoration of Alpine Meadows iii.
Comprehensive Plans for River Valleys
Wetlands iv. Green Roads

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2. Managing Habitats Endangered
Species - Revival of Corridors -
Species Recovery Programs for Threatened
species
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3. Participatory Natural Resource Management

• Strengthening village institutions in PRM
• Link Gramin Self-employment Scheme
• (NAREGA) with Forestry / Environmental
• Conservation

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4. Rural Technology for Energy
Saving
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5. Rural Livelihoods Minimizing PA People
Conflicts
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6. Integrated Weed Management Action
Research - Replace AIS with
native, multipurpose spp. - Involve Voluntary
Groups Eco-task Force - Research Institutions
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7. Research on Future Crops
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8. Policy Research Back-Up - Convergence
of line departments for Forest Rural
Development
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Thank you !!