By Ranbeer S. Rawal and Indira D. Bhatt, on 23 May 2020.
Under the grips of COVID 19 outbreak situation, the world Celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity 2020 mainly using the virtual platforms. At diverse levels and forums, deliberations and discourses focused on the theme of the year ‘Our Solutions are in Nature’. This theme very well coincides with the changing outlook of the world under COVID 19 Pandemic scenario. The scientific community and many other stakeholder groups believe, the cure for such disasters lies within the domains of nature. Therefore, Nature-based solutions are attracting wider attention.
The Himalaya, one of the global Biodiversity Hotspots, is recognized for its ecological and economic values. However, diversity of representative biodiversity elements and their sensitivity to human and/or climate-induced perturbations, and more importantly the dependence of up-land and downstream communities on its goods and services, makes the Himalaya an important candidate for action both for long-term maintenance and sustainable use of biological diversity.
Realizing the above, and recognizing that under deepening uncertainties of COVID-19 the Indian Himalayan states, as for the entire nation, are experiencing a rampant reverse migration of thousands of people who had out-migrated from Himalayan hills to earn livelihoods in urban centres of plains. Roughly, one may expect a return of 12 to 15 lakh persons to the region. Alone in Uttarakhand, it is expected that over 2.5 lakh people have returned. This is a huge bulk return of people. Given the misery these people have faced during this period, most of them are unlikely to leave hills now. This scenario has made all concerned to think afresh and differently on ecological conservation and economic development in Himalayan states in post COVID era.
In the above context, experts of diverse domains have also started discussing the diverse possibilities. The G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, a nodal Institute for research and development in Indian Himalaya, used the opportunity of International Day for Biodiversity-2020, to organize a series of webinars at its HQs, Almora and regional Centers at Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. These webinars engaged the noted domain experts of biodiversity. Director of the Institute, Dr R.S. Rawal, while opening the webinars “Himalayan Biodiversity and Future Solutions”, informed the panelists/participants that the webinar is envisaged to deliberate on solution providing the potential of Himalayan biodiversity, especially given the slogan of “Vocal for Local” presented by the Prime Minister of India during his address to the Nation on May 12, 2020.
During the deliberations, experts agreed that the Himalayan biodiversity holds an excellent potential to provide livelihoods to Himalayan people, including those young people who have come back after leaving their earnings in urban areas of plains. Experts, however, cautioned about possibilities of misuse and thereby further harming the Himalayan ecosystems. Therefore, at this time of crisis, there is a need to balance the approach of protection and sustainable use of biodiversity. Experts unanimously agreed pharmaceutical potential of Himalayan medicinal plants, nutraceutical potential of wild edible plants, diversity of ecosystems for nature-based tourism, and prevalent genetic diversity accompanied by organic nature of traditional agriculture, are the immediate areas which can be tapped and therefore be given priority. Skilling, the youth, developing entrepreneurial aptitude by appropriate training, developing local markets and supply chains for local biodiversity-based products were emphasized. Engaging people with eco-restoration activities can earn them immediate income. Promotion of agroecological farming in hills was underlined by many panellists. While discussing options of livelihoods to people who have migrated back, the experts emphasized on the mapping of skills and willingness of these peoples and accordingly engaged them with diverse options. Such people would require hand-holdings of expert individuals/agencies. More emphasis on transfer of research-based outcomes to the land, promotion of rural eco-friendly technologies, and improving capabilities of indigenous communities were suggested as a way forward. Experts also agreed that a proper communication strategy which takes care of both ends, grass-root to top policy planner level, should be developed so as to properly inform all the stakeholders of Himalayan biodiversity. The G.B. Pant Institute will synthesize the recommendations of these webinars as an Approach Paper, which can be used for post-COVID actions on Himalayan Biodiversity Conservation and its sustainable use.
The notable panellists of the webinar(s) included Dr R.B.S. Rawat, former PCCF Uttarakhand; Shri Manoj Chandran, CEO Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fibre Board; Sri. S.S. Rasaily, Member Secretary Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board; Dr Rajan Kotru, Strategic Policy Advisor REST, Palampur; Shri Brij Rathore, Chief Policy Advisor, ICIMOD; Shri Sushil Ramola, President IMI New Delhi; Shri P.D. Rai, IMI Sikkim; Shri Ajay Rastogi, Foundation for Nature Contemplation; Prof Sunil Nautiyal, Bangalore; Dr Bhawana Pathak, Gandhi Nagar; Dr Bhoj Acharya, Sikkim; Dr R.M. Pant, Director NIRD&PR Guwahati; Dr Sarla Khaling ATREE Sikkim; Dr S. K. Nandi, Kolkata; Prof Sathyanarayana, Sikkim; Dr Shri Prakash, RARI Sikkim; Dr TN Deka, ICRI Sikkim. Besides, Centre Heads of 5 regional Centres and Senior Scientists Dr. G.C.S. Negi, Dr I.D. Bhatt, Dr Chandrasekar, Dr Paromita, Dr Vikram Negi along with several researchers participated in the webinar.
Ranbeer S. Rawal is the Director, GBPNIHESD, Uttarakhand, India.
Indira D. Bhatt is the Theme Head (EP), Centre for Biodiversity Conservation and Management (CBCM), GBPNIHESD, Uttarakhand, India. Dr Indra D. Bhatt, is also a member of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystems Management.