Study Details

Objectives

Assessing availability of biomass for the following non timber forest based industries:

• Wool

• Silk

• Dairy

• Ascertaining available harvestable surpluses.

• Establishing regeneration requirements based on output volumes provided.

• Incase of dairy, developing carrying capacity models based on availability of tree fodder/crop residue/low capacity animals & high capacity animals.
   

Categorisation of forest types in project area and identification of nurse species for different areas.
 

Identification of nurse species for different forest types in the project area to facilitate regeneration activity.

Establishment of corridors for wildlife species. Identification of areas where corridors are required and can be effectively regenerated. The study will also include a species selection in conformance with the area.

The objective will be to reduce fragmentation. The implementation of the activity is expected to take 6 to 10 years to be effectively assessed however we expected to complete the support activities for regeneration in a two year time frame.
 

Fire Protection: Ascertaining reasons for intentional fires and suggesting a preventive methodology. The study would include exploring socio-cultural reasons for lighting of intentional fires and also appropriate remedial measures. 

The study areas would include large Pine forests in its areas. The remedial measures would include suggesting methodologies for making of Pine forests more useful to local communities.

Creation of a community based biodiversity monitoring system.

• The major objective is to create an index to depict the health of an ecosystem.

• Species mapping

• criteria for selection of a given species for industry.

• Resource assessment techniques.

• Effects of intervention of other species.

• Establishment of GIS systems.
   

Creation of biodiversity registers for recording species, climate change, environmental activity and recording ethnobotany, folk taxonomy and use. 
 

To ensure involvement of community in undertaking of documentation of ethnobotany and folk taxonomy.

Estimating resource availability of ringal arundinaria falcatta (dwarf bamboo)

Assessing availability of resources and establishing regeneration needs based on specific volumes of output and existing subsistence use.
 

Documenting legal rights of community in use of  arundenaria falcatta

To create awareness in the community of its rights and responsibilities in the use of the this vital resource and potential economic gains to community from effective management.
 

Estimating resource availability of lichens/moss.

Assessing availability of resources and establishing regeneration needs based on an assessment of present levels of extraction.
 

Documenting existing practices in extraction and trade of lichens and moss.

Ascertaining end use and estimating total value of resource extraction from project area.
 

Documenting legal rights in community use of lichens and moss. 

To create awareness in the community of its rights and responsibilities in the use of the this vital resource and potential economic gains to community from effective management.
 

Assessing the Law and Impact on Community Participation in Conservation Activities

• Major provisions of the forest act as applicable to Uttaranchal  with an analysis on how it impacts on conservation.

• A study of the relevant portions of the law related to ownership of forests, including documentation of community rights of extraction. This would include an analysis on how it impacts on conservation.

• Assessing present levels of economic extraction. What presently are the direct revenues from forests, how are they generated and whom do they benefit.

• Policy and initiatives of the forest department on creating a participatory approach to conservation. This would include an analysis of impact. 

• The UA approach – what are the indications/signals we have on the direction that we will move on and suggestions on what direction we should ideally be taking i.e. suggesting a solution.

Assessing community perceptions on conservation and related issues with a view to devising training/communication methodologies to meet conservation objectives:

• Assess the level of understanding of the community about the role of forests in their daily lives.

• Assess community perceptions on value of existing resources and perceived causes for depletion of resources.

• The study will document existing practices on biomass extraction including presenting an analysis on the rates of extraction.

• Make a correlation between the rate of extraction and arable land in a given area

Creating a district profile for Chamoli and Rudraprayag district.*

• Demographic profile

• Document existing livelihood options

• Document existing levels of incomes

• Assess returns from agriculture – food security issues.

Understanding the relationship between the community and the forest department.

• Understanding the perceptions of the community on the role of the forest department in conservation.

• Understanding perceptions of the forest department (at field implementation levels) on the role of communities in conservation.

Mapping agricultural diversity in the Ukhimath block and assessing community perceptions on the value attached to this diversity.

The study is presently in the planning stage. It has been planned by the National Institute of Science Technology and Development Studies, a division of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – who will lead the study. ATI has undertaken to lend field level support. The study will map out the agricultural diversity of the region and also document community perceptions on conservation of  diversity.
 

Market analysis of Dairy Sub-sector in Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts

• Identification of major rural and urban markets in the districts of Rudraprayag and Chamoli and assessing demand for fresh milk and milk and milk products in each sector. 

• Assessing present levels of production in different sections of the project area – with a view to creation of a milk grid.

• Assessing the cattle population and present productivity levels in the area.