Bees & Butterflies, Ecosystem Services, Forests
and Sustainable Agriculture in Indian Himalayan Region

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is known for its beautiful landscape, rich biodiversity and forests, numerous rivers and streams, and a great diversity of traditions and culture.

Our work in the Indian Himalayan Region is focused on pollinators, sustainable agriculture, forests and ecosystem services. Here is an overview of the projects and programmes implemented over the years:

  1. Assessment and quantification of forest ecosystem services with special emphasis on pollination in the Indian Himalayan Region
    in Upper Beas Valley in Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh; Kosi and Khulgad Watersheds in Almora, Uttarakhand; and Mamlay Watershed in Sikkim.
    • Programme on pollination services, sustainable livelihood and biodiversity conservation.
    • Scientific research on the phenology of selected crops with a focus on the possible impact of extreme weather events.
  2. Promoting pollinators using traditional practices and conserving the habitat for bee flora.
    • Promotion of apiculture practices with bee boxes and provision of bee colonies.
    • Plantation of bee flora.
    • Skill development workshops for training on apiculture practices.
  3. Scientific research on changing climate and floral diversity, ecosystem services and pollination.

Programme Highlight:

  • The projects have assisted in increasing scientific knowledge on pollinators, bee flora and forest ecosystem services in the project sites.
  • We have worked towards improving bee flora at farm level for increasing pollinator population and also enhancing knowledge on beekeeping among community members.

“The collaborative scientific research of G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment & Sustainable Development and Earthwatch Institute India has made an important contribution to our institute’s work to advance scientific knowledge and demonstrate their efficacy for conservation of natural resources, and to ensure environmentally sound development in the Indian Himalayan Region.
Our collaborative project is also contributing towards the objectives of the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) as well as towards the Sustainable Development Goals on the promotion of Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action through peoples’ participation in eco-conservation.”

Dr. S.S. Samant, DSc, FNASc, FSE.

Scientific Research Institution: G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment & Sustainable Development (GBPNIHESD)
(An Autonomous Institute of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India).
The scientists and experts who were associated with the projects and programmes, from time to time, over the years:
Professor LMS Palni, Dr. P.P. Dhyani, Dr. Ranbeer S. Rawal, Dr. S. S. Samant, Dr. G.C.S. Negi, Dr. Subrat Sharma, Dr. Kishor Kothari.