Threatened Animals of Himachal Pradesh (2017)

(From 2009 list)

1. Steppe Eagle
2. Himalayan Serow
3. Chir Pheasant
4. Koklass Pheasant
5. Regal Apollo (Butterfly)
6. Snow Apollo (Butterfly)
7. Bearded Vulture
8. White-Rumped Vulture
9. Slender-Billed Vulture
10. Red-Headed Vulture
11. Western Tragopan
12. Snow Leopard
13. Himalayan Musk Deer
14. Himalayan Tahr
15. Tibetan Wolf
16. Himalayan Tree Frog

Threatened Plants of Himachal Pradesh

1. Mohra
2. Atis
3. Ratanjot
4. Tharka
5. Kashmal
6. Gajar Mula
7. Kutki
8. Ridhi
9. Jeevak
10. Ner Dhoop
11. Salam Canja

Additional Information

• The 1st Meeting of the Committee for Threatened Animals was organized by the Himachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board.
• This is under Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Factors Responsible for Biodiversity Decline in Himachal Pradesh (Improved without Duplication)

1. Deforestation and Habitat Loss
   • Expansion of apple orchards and road construction
   • Example: Forest loss around Shimla hills affecting Western Tragopan habitat
2. Monoculture Practices
   • Replacement of diverse ecosystems by single-crop plantations reducing biodiversity
   • Example: Extensive potato farming in Lahaul-Spiti replacing native vegetation
3. Overgrazing
   • High livestock pressure leading to degradation of alpine pastures and native flora
   • Example: Overgrazing in Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti reducing medicinal herbs
4. Forest Fires
   • Frequent fires damaging regeneration and ecological balance
   • Example: Recurring fires in Kangra’s Chir Pine forests
5. Illegal Logging and Encroachment
   • Unauthorized tree felling and settlement expansion reducing forest cover
   • Example: Illegal logging incidents in Mandi and Shimla forests
6. Human-Wildlife Conflict
   • Retaliatory killings and disturbance caused by increasing human-wildlife interaction
   • Example: Conflicts in Kinnaur affecting Snow Leopard and Himalayan Black Bear populations
7. Pollution due to Tourism and Urban Growth
   • Habitat fragmentation, solid waste, and water contamination in tourist areas
   • Example: Pollution impacts in Manali disrupting local ecosystems
8. Climate Change
   • Glacier retreat and altered hydrological patterns shifting vegetation zones
   • Example: Melting glaciers affecting rivers and Snow Leopard habitat in Himachal
9. Mining Activities
   • Soil erosion and vegetation loss due to quarrying and mineral extraction
   • Example: Limestone mining in Sirmaur damaging native plant species
10. Chemical Use in Agriculture
    • Overuse of pesticides and fertilizers harming pollinators and soil organisms
    • Example: Pesticide impact in apple orchards of Shimla and Kinnaur
11. Loss of Traditional Knowledge
    • Decline in indigenous practices leading to reduced agro-biodiversity
    • Example: Disappearance of traditional crop varieties in remote villages

Himachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

By poonamjot.176501@gmail.com / August 16, 2025

prepared in 2002 . updated released in 2021 because of Nagoya 10th cop summit and India commitment to CBD during 2010-2020 . hence national institute of public finance and policy drafted it .

hp strategy and acting plan on climate change 2012 complemts it .

1. Wild Flora and Fauna

i. Protected Areas (PAs)

• Need for re-strategizing of PAs through spatial analysis to determine changes in forest cover using remote sensing applications.
• Adoption of participatory resource management strategy across all PAs in the state.
• Undertake training and awareness campaigns for local governance bodies and community members.
• Identify opportunities for networking in the context of biodiversity conservation.

ii. Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)

• Develop a comprehensive database for HWC along with nature and extent of conflicts.
• Conduct district-wise scientific investigation on:
  • Richness of wild animals
  • Habitat characteristics
  • Land-use patterns
  • Availability of prey species
• Key interventions:
  • Plant more fruiting trees in forests to reduce crop raiding
  • Identify grazing zones and mark them
  • Revive degraded uphill pasturelands for animals like Ibex and blue sheep
  • Periodically clear shrubs to allow free movement of animals

iii. Forest Fires

• Strengthen data on forest fire, especially documenting causes of increased incidents.
• Conduct gap analysis of current forest fire management (fire stations, equipment, manpower).
• Explore Fire Danger Rating System to assess daily fire potential based on fuel, weather, topography, etc.
• Provide training to local communities for prescribed burning.

iv. Restoration Potential

• Explore suitability of ROAM methodology developed by WRI.
• Identify native tree species and associated value chain for:
  • Livelihood diversification
  • Income generation for local communities

v. Preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs)

• Expedite preparation of PBRs as per Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• Supplement PBRs with regular scientific surveys to update key threatened, critical, endangered, vulnerable, and rare species.

vi. Wildlife Crime

• Identify gaps in staff training and funding based on security audits.
• Design training modules for enforcement agencies.

vii. Invasive Alien Species

• Involve cottage industries and incentivize them to utilize invasive species.
• Examples:
  • Lantana Camara → bioethanol fuel
  • Fresh root of Ageratina Adenophora → antibacterial qualities

viii. Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS)

• Identify BHS with active involvement of local institutions and communities.
• Use GIS mapping to delineate boundaries.

ix. Database

• Strengthen ENVIS HP portal to serve as a repository of credible biodiversity data.
• Include endangered, extinct, rare, threatened, vulnerable species and trends in species composition.

x. In-situ Conservation

• Identify sites for restoration for conservation of native species.
• Plan for long-term environmental monitoring.
• Preserve traditional knowledge regarding crop breeding, especially for economically important crops.

xi. Ex-situ Conservation

• Conserve genetic diversity of threatened flora and fauna.
• Strengthen seed banks for seed and germplasm collection.

xii. Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs)

• Introduce a focused program to create a value chain through partnership between industry and local communities.
• Target commercially viable MAPs at risk due to unscientific extraction.

2. Agriculture and Biodiversity

i. Organic Farming

• Introduce support programs for niche organic products:
  • Peas, Kala Jeera, Wild Garlic, Kuth, Kutki
• Focus on branding, labelling, and marketing.

ii. Community Seed Banks

• Establish community seed banks to:
  • Make local varieties available to farmers
  • Monitor quality seed production
  • Respond to threats to plant genetic resources due to climate change

iii. Fodder Management

• Revive degraded pasturelands regularly using native species.
• Establish fodder banks in alpine areas:
  • Help local communities in winter
  • Reduce pressure on grazing lands

iv. Irrigation

• Promote khuls (traditional irrigation), rainwater harvesting, solar energy, and pumps.
• Revise small hydro power policy to address diversion of water from micro irrigation systems like Kuhls.

v. Agro-forestry

• Use agro-forestry to rehabilitate degraded land in line with existing crops and livestock needs.
• Set up high-tech nurseries in higher altitudes to provide viable planting material.

vi. Bio-control Agents

• Promote bio-control agents.
• Provide on-farm training for proper Pesticide Application Technology to ensure:
  • Minimum residue
  • Reduced pesticide risk

vii. Adaptation towards Climate Change

• Map fragile ecosystems and demarcate as “No-go zones”.
• Ensure availability of:
  • Drought resilient seeds
  • Public health measures for heatwaves, cold-waves, vector-borne diseases
  • Disaster risk reduction strategies
  • Water management
  • Climate-smart agriculture

3. Animal Husbandry and Biodiversity

i. Promoting Genetic Diversity

• Strengthen conservation and promotion of indigenous animal species.

ii. Stray Cattle Management

• Involve local institutions and communities for effective stray cattle management.
• Design mechanisms to identify and punish defaulters who abandon unproductive cattle.

iii. Diseases among Livestock

• Conduct studies to identify diseases, causes, and etiological agents.
• Assess impact of these diseases on bovines across districts.

iv. Diseases among Migratory Livestock

• Ensure compulsory vaccination of cattle before grazing uphill by nomadic/semi-nomadic communities.
• Prevent spread of diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease.

v. Yak Population

• Facilitate artificial insemination using yak semen in remote regions to increase yak population.

vi. Fodder Management

• Train farmers to improve nutritive value and taste of crop residues as feedstock.
• Example: 21-day treatment process by ICRISAT, Karnataka.

vii. Grazing Policy

• Formulate a Grazing Policy to outline management and development guidelines for pasturelands in the state.

4. Aquatic Biodiversity

i. Wetlands

• Identify degraded wetlands and develop site-specific restoration plans.

ii. Revival of Fish Species

• Strengthen fish brood banks, especially for native species like mahseer.
• Explore designating deep river pools as fish sanctuaries in consultation with Fisheries Department.

iii. Construction of Dams

• Conduct E-flows assessment to determine river health.
• Ensure compliance of hydropower projects with lean season water flow mandates.
• Make small flow regime adjustments during hydro peaking to conserve shoreline and riverbed habitats.

iv. Fish Movement

• Mandate channels and structures to prevent obstruction of fish movement through dams.

v. Pollution

• CPCB identified 7 polluted river stretches in HP.
• Actions needed:
  • Study gap between sewage generation and STP capacity
  • Plan additional pipelines to treat effluents before river disposal
  • Public involvement in reporting industrial discharges

5. Microbial Diversity

i. Microbial Diversity Database

• Document microbial diversity across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Prepare web-based curated database.

ii. Application of Microbes in Farming

• Utilize Plant Growth Promoting Microbes (PGPM) as substitute for agri-xenobiotics.

iii. Conservation of Aquatic Microbial Diversity

• Include microbial biodiversity in project impact assessments.
• Develop indicators to monitor microbial diversity.

iv. Direct-fed Microbes

• Explore Direct-fed Microbes to augment indigenous cattle performance.

6. Tourism

i. Ecotourism

• Capacity building for local communities in “high-value, low-impact” tourism.
• Converge Forest Department Ecotourism Policy and Tourism Department Policy.

ii. Carrying Capacity

• Conduct carrying capacity studies to limit tourists in ecologically fragile areas.

iii. Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)

• Explore PES model to incentivize community participation in biodiversity conservation.

iv. Impact Assessment

7. Economic Valuation and Natural Capital Accounting

i. Economic Valuation of Biodiversity

• Focus on economic valuation of bio-resources for Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism.
• Support studies for measurement of economic value of state bio-resources for appropriate benefit-sharing.

ii. Natural Capital Accounting

• Explore application of Natural Capital Accounting across all sectors in HP.

8. Education, Awareness, and Training

i. Environmental Education

• Mainstream environmental studies in education to increase biodiversity awareness.

ii. Awareness through Communication Media

• Promote awareness via short films, documentaries, and print media.

iii. Community-Based Natural Resource Management

• Promote collaboration among:
  • Self-governing bodies (Praja Mandals, Panchayats)
  • VDFCs, JFMCs
  • Local administration
  • Research institutes and NGOs

iv. Development of Portal

• Develop a portal to document and share national & international best practices for functionaries and stakeholders.

9. Policies, Laws, and Institutions

i. Procurement of Green Products

• Develop sustainable public procurement manuals for line departments.
• Encourage procurement of green products using life-cycle costing.

ii. Community Participation

• Explore Adaptation Coalition Framework (ACF) to create community institutions for long-term climate resilience.
• Facilitate coalitions/alliances of local communities and mobilize human, social, and financial assets.

iii. Investment in Agricultural Research

• Increase investment in:
  • Agricultural research, infrastructure, technology development
  • Plant gene banks

iv. Regional Cooperation

• Promote regional cooperation between Himalayan states.
• Strengthen existing mechanisms and explore new agreements.

SBSAP Resource Mobilisation Strategy Notes

Overview

• Total Additional Funding Required: ₹51.795 crore per annum for SBSAP implementation
• Finance needs assessment: Detailed in Table 7.1 of the report
• Seven strategic approaches identified for mobilising additional funds

Strategy 1: Leveraging Existing Sources

Key Programs to Utilize

• CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority)
• MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)
• PKVY (Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana)
• RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana)
• KUSUM (Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan)
• NMSA (National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture)

Implementation Approach

• Build synergies between SBSAP and existing state programs
• Convince line departments to incorporate SBSAP action points in annual programs
• Establish inter-departmental group for coordination
• Develop annual/multi-year plans before budget finalization

Strategy 2: Rationalisation of User Charges & CSR

Protected Areas (PA) Revenue Enhancement

• Revise entry fees based on:
  • Demand for the PA
  • Pristine nature and services offered
• Establish Local Trust Fund for each PA
• Levy conservation cess on tourism activities in 4-5 sq km area around PAs

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Improvement

Current Challenges:

• Long gestational period
• Poor awareness
• Intangible results

Solutions:

• Strengthen awareness strategies through SBB
• Develop project pipeline in priority areas
• Collaborate with IBBI and other associations/federations

Strategy 3: Levy Charges on Identified Sectors

Land Acquisition & Development Fund (LADF) and District Mineral Fund (DMF)

• Earmark up to 50% of annual accruals for biodiversity conservation
• Route through existing Environment Fund

Tourism Biodiversity Cess

• Levy 5-8% on revenue from tourism activities
• Apply irrespective of department involved

Strategy 4: Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)

Current Status

• Highly underutilised revenue source in India and HP
• Potential remains untapped

Recommended Actions

• Conduct detailed study on ABS potential and implementation challenges in HP
• Encourage bio-prospecting proactively
• Ensure equitable distribution of conservation benefits
• Link sustainable resource use with conservation funding

Strategy 5: Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)

Mechanism Overview

• Market-based approach linking geographically disparate providers and beneficiaries
• Puts price on un-priced services like climate regulation, water quality, wildlife habitat
• Integrates ecosystem services into wider economy

HP Policy Framework (2013)

Eligible Ecosystem Services:

• Soil erosion control
• Sediment load reduction
• Fire control
• Water discharge in streams and springs (especially potable water)
• Carbon sequestration
• Rehabilitation of weed-infested areas
• Organic and conservation agriculture
• Conservation horticulture
• Pollination and biodiversity conservation

Potential Funding Sources

• International donors
• Impact investment funds
• Private donors

Strategy 6: Carbon Credits

Market Opportunity

• Creates market for reducing greenhouse emissions
• Assigns monetary value to pollution costs
• NITI Aayog estimates: India can access USD 50-60 billion through natural farming and agroecology

HP Implementation Opportunities

• Pangi in Chamba: Already practices natural farming
• SECURE Landscape: Part of area follows natural farming
• Restoration programmes: Potential source for earning carbon credits
• Register environment-friendly practices and initiatives

Strategy 7: Financial Technology (Fintech)

Benefits

• Increases breadth and depth of conservation finance
• Reduces transaction costs
• Improves economic efficiency
• Overcomes scale issues
• Works effectively at retail level

Technology Advantages

• Reduces cost of:
  • Transactions
  • Credit investigation
  • Resource matching
• Proven success stories available

Recommended Application

• SBB should explore fintech solutions for addressing man-animal conflicts

Key Implementation Considerations

Coordination Requirements

• Inter-departmental collaboration essential
• Budget planning alignment across line departments
• Stakeholder awareness and engagement

Success Factors

• Strategic partnerships with existing programs
• Innovative financing mechanisms
• Technology integration for efficiency
• Market-based approaches for sustainability

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Track fund mobilisation progress
• Assess impact of each strategy
• Adjust approaches based on performance data