NBRI to map flora of Uttarakhand sanctuary

This will be the first such project undertaken by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in the Himalayan ranges of Uttarakhand.

A protected area,Govind Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarkashi district is spread over 960 sq km at an altitude of 1,300 to 6,000 m. It is known to be rich in flora and far from human habitat,but the area is yet to be explored in detail as to its exact ecological makeup.

The uniqueness of the site,said scientists from NBRI,is that it has three altitudinal gradients – the tropical,the temperate as well as the alpine ecosystem – available at a short stretch. “It is said quite often that because of climatic change,many plants and tree lines are shifting zones,moving to higher altitudes. When all the three altitude zones are available in a short stretch it becomes much easier for the scientists to study the behavioral change of plants and change in their altitude of habitat,if any,” said Dr P B Khare,a senior scientist in-charge of biodiversity at NBRI.

The scientists added that for the study of behaviour change of plants with respect to climate change,it becomes essential that the area is not penetrated by humans,so as to be sure that the only factor behind the plants’ behavior change is climate.

The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary project will also include other aspects of study. The NBRI,which has expertise in all types of plants,from the lowest range of algae to the higher plants,will undertake a complete mapping of the entire plant resources in the area,identifying underused and underutilised plant species of medicinal as well as ornamental value in the area.