No abstract

This study provides an overview of the impacts of a proposed hydroelectric power project in the Western Himalayan region in India, using a primary database on floristic diversity and vegetation analysis. The remote sensing data revealed that in the submergence zone only mixed deciduous forest that occupies 807.5�ha area and has a wood biomass volume of 4,027,503�m3 is likely to be lost due to impoundment. A total of 165 plant species found in the submergence zone also occur in the influence and free draining catchment area of the project. In the influence zone of the project area only one tree species (Acer oblongum) is found under conservation threat category, which is also present in the free draining catchment of the project. The project affected population (6716 people) residing in the submergence and influence zone depend upon the surrounding forests for fuel wood, fodder, wild edibles etc., and most likely they will settle in the nearby areas, thus mounting more pressure on residual forests of the influence zone for various forest products. Further, from the vegetation analysis it is evident that several tree species (e.g. Lannea coromandelica, Terminalia alata, T. bellerica etc.), may face more pressure from exploitation as they provide a number of useful products and are represented in lower numbers in the forests of the project area. To compensate for the loss of various goods and services provided by the forests falling in the submergence zone and to offset the increased pressure of the project affected families on the forests of influence zone, a biodiversity management plan is suggested incorporating socio-economic considerations.conservation status, community dependence, hydropower potential, forest type, environmental impacts, submergence zone, Western Himalaya,

No abstract

No abstract

markets in and around Ranchi for two years. The vegetables have been identified with the help of the flora by Haines (1921-25) and for up-to-date nomenclature Ghosh (1971) In the early spring season, the wives of grass-cutters mix all the items of this nutrition-rich diet with special salt (Peesyon-lwond) on a stone (Raimodi-dhungo) especially fixed in the forest to prepare this native Himalayan dish. However, in district Uttarakashi only the petals of Rhododendron and Rumex nepalensis, Speng. (U. Amlodo) are separately eaten with salt. A folk song inviting the persons to enjoy this delicious wild salad is sung throughout the parts of the Garhwal Himalaya. 'Awa dagadyo, awa bhai bando Tai jungle joola, raimodi meelai kholla'It is said that some decades ago, the village daughters-in-law were given very less nutritious diet and even sometimes were not allowed to take complete diet. In those circumstances knowledge of making raimodi was adopted by these intelligent women to fulfil their nutritional requirement. But now, since most families depend on ration supplied from the market, the traditional use of valuable and common wild plant resources has been decreasing at the rate faster than ever. The spread of diseases like breast and ovarian cancer, pernicious anaemia, blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases in remote areas are some of the direct and discernible effects of adopting modern food habits.Lack of public awareness about the benefits of using wild herbs is also a cause for concern. Now the Himalaya needs conservation of itself along with the restoration of dwindling cultural, social and traditional sustainable practices gained by the ethnic and tribal communities through generations.