Shimla, December 11
The scientists have warned that the biodiversity in mountain region, which is home to over 10,502 species of plants and water tower of Indian plains, is depleting rapidly thanks to the increased man-made activities that in turn is promoting climate change.
The scientists heightened their concern over the depleting biodiversity of the mountains here on the occasion of the International Mountain Day, celebrated at the Western Himalayan Temperate Botanical Garden, Potterhill.
The school children and members of the civil society were educated about role and importance of the biodiversity in sustainable mountain development and tourism. They underscored an urgent need for taking remedial measures for promoting sustainable tourism in the mountains.
Western Himalayan Temperate Botanical Garden, Potterhill was set up in Summerhill few years ago. It has become a new attraction for the tourists, nature lovers and a source for education for children and researchers and a micro model for promotion for sustainable tourism in Shimla city.
Home to over to over 120 species of plants, the botanical garden is a brain child of Dr Vineet Jishtu, a field botanist at the Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI). HFRI in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Forest department has set up this botanical garden to promote it as a laboratory for educating children and researchers and tourists.
Speaking on the occasion, director, HFRI Dr. SS Samant said the hilly areas are the reservoir of biodiversity and are very important for life and environment. “There are 10502 plant species in these areas, out of which about 4000 species are important”.
Dr Samant said due to the increased inference of man-made activities in the mountains, the biodiversity is depleting rabidly. This is resulting in climate change in the mountains, he said.
Dr. Vaneet Jistu said the botanical garden is established with the financial support of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. It has 120 local plant species in one stop Vatica, mainly aimed at aiding conservation of plants.
He said the idea is to promote tourism along with education and research on vegetation. The learners, researchers and other tourists from all over the country and abroad come to this garden from time to time and they get to see wild plant species of Western Himalayan temperate zone at one place, he said.
Scientists, officers and staff of the institute inform the tourists about the wild plants, he said.
The former bureaucrat, Srinivas Joshi, keynote speaker said mountains are home to 15% of the world's population and are located in about half of the world's biodiversity hotspots. “Mountains provide fresh water to half of humanity for daily life”, he said.
Joshi said mountain tourism was affected by the Covid-19 epidemic and further affected the livelihoods of the people who are dependent on it. “Conservation of mountains is an important factor for development and is part of the united nations' sustainable development goals”, he said.
He said sustainable tourism in the mountains can contribute to creating additional and alternative livelihood options. It can promote biodiversity conservation along with poverty alleviation, social inclusion, he added.
Additional PCCF Wildlife, Anil Thakur educated the students about the wildlife in the mountains. One needs to be vigilant and careful in the vicinity of forests to avoid man-animal conflicts, he said.
Dr. Jagdish Singh, scientist-F, HFRI welcomed all the participants and said the theme of the day is sustainable mountain tourism. The importance of the theme in this programme is to discuss and create awareness among all stakeholders, he said.
Dr. Jishtu thanked the chief guest, scientists, officers, staff and girl students for joining the programme.
