Introduction

Himachal Pradesh is among one of the ecologically fragile destinations in Himalayan region having immense wealth of natural resources and biodiversity but currently slowly and steadily facing the pressures of development. It is an undisputed fact that the natural resources are the critical engine for accelerating the economic growth and with it, maintains the quality of life of the people, besides livelihoods of millions of people living even in the foothills of the State. Sustainability of economic growth and the resultant imrovement in the quality of life of its people depends largely on the sustainability of its environmental heritage and natural resources.

Strategy of state to conserve Biodiversity :

Institutional Organisations :

Establishment of State Biodiversity Board :

Himachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board has been constituted by Govt. of Himachal Pradesh under Section 22 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, for conservation of diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources, knowledge and for matters connected herewith and incidental thereto in the State.

Fuctions :
1. Advise the State Govt. subject to any guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment & Forest and Climate Change, GoI, New Delhi on matters relating to the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of biological resources.
2. Regulate by granting of approvals or otherwise requests for commercial utilization of bio-survey and bio-utilization of any biological resources by Indians.
3. Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 or as may be prescribed by the State Govt.

Biodiverssity Act 2002 :

An Act to provide for conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources, knowledge and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Salient features of Biodiversity Act,2002 :
1. To regulate access to biological resources of the country with the purpose of securing equitable share in benefits arising out of the use of biological resources and associated knowlede relating to biological resources .
2. To conserve use and sustainably use biological diversity.
3. To respect and protect and knowledge of local communities related to biodiversity.
4. To secure benefits of sharing with local people as conserves to biological resources and holders of knowlede and information relating to the use of biological resources.
5. Involvement of Institutions of state government in the broad scheme of the implementation of the Biological diversity Act through constitution of committies.

Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)

Local bodies constitute Biodiversity Management Committee in accordance with Section 41, within their area of jurisdiction for the purpose of promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity including preservation of habitats, conservation of land races, folk varieties and cultivars, domesticated stocks and breeds of animals and micro-organisms and chronicling of knowledge relating to biological diversity.

Functions

Prepare, maintain and validate People's Biodiversity Register (PBR) in consultation with local people. The BMC is to maintain a Register giving information about the details of the avaibility and knowledge of local biological resources, their use or any traditional knowledge, access to biological and traditional knowledge granted, details of the collection of fee imposed and details of the benefits derived and the mode of their sharing. Advice on any matter referred to it by the State Biodiversity Board or Authority for granting approval, to maintain data about the local vaids and practitioners using the biological resources.

Protected Areas in Himachal to conserve species : Protected Areas, Biodiversity rich sites and Flagship species Himachal Pradesh

The network of protected areas (PAs) has been the nurtured as the centre of biodiversity. Hence, the status of protected areas in a state serves as an indicator for an understanding about the status of biodiversity conservation, areas of rich biodiversity and the occurrence of flagship species. The PA networks generally take into account the bio-geographic classification of the natural ecosystems. In case of Himachal Pradesh there are four distinct biogeographical zones namely Trans Himalaya (including cold desert of Lahaul and Spiti), the Great Himalayas, High and middle mountains and semi-arid zone. The total 36 PAs are distributed in these four zones where trans-Himalaya (2), Great Himalaya (17), high and middle mountains (13) and semi-arid zone (4). There are in all 5 national parks, 26 wildlife -

1. Biodiversity Hotspot : Along with PA network the sites identified as biodiversity hotspots, heritage sites are also important in recognizing the biodiversity richness of the local sites in the states. The cold desert and the western Himalayan agro-biodiversity hotspots also cover the districts of Himachal Pradesh. In all 4 wetlands in Himachal Pradesh are identified for long term conservation planning. Green Growth and Biodiversity in Himachal Pradesh .
2. Biodiversity Heritage Sites : Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 the areas that are unique ecologically fragile ecosystems - terrestrial, freshwater or marine having rich biodiversity can be declared as Biodiversity Heritage Sites. At national level the National Biodiversity Authority and at state level State Biodiversity Boards can identify and declare such areas. In Himachal Pradesh no such efforts have been made through State Biodiversity Board. But Himachal Pradesh has number of potential areas otherwise documented and studied and can be potentially identified as Biodiversity Heritage Sites. Such areas include sacred forests andforests protected through Rakha system.
3. Ramsar sites : India has 26 Ramsar Wetland Sites which are recognized for their international importance. The wetlands Chandertal, Pong dam lake and Renuka wetlands in Himachal Pradesh are recognized as Ramsar sites.
4. Important Bird Areas : An Important Bird Area (IBA) is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. In India there are about 465 IBAs. In Himachal Pradesh there are 24 IBAs. These IBAs harbor several threatened, restricted range, biome and congregatory species of birds in Himachal Pradesh (BNHS 1999).
5. Trade, Livelihood and Biodiversity : The importance of biodiversity is not only restricted to the maintenance of local ecology but it is also closely linked with the commercial use of the biological resources. There has been an extremely close association between livelihoods and the biodiversity in Himachal Pradesh. The collection of wild biodiversity such as medicinal plants in Himachal Pradesh demonstrates the direct linkage of the local communities with the biodiversity.
6. Economic Value from NTFP ( Non Timber Forest Products)  and Medicinal Plants : In Himachal Pradesh about 165 medicinal plant species are traded every year. The state has 24 species which are amongst the most traded 100 plants in India. The total harvest of medicinal plants is more than 2,500 tonnes. The medicinal plant trade in the state is estimated to be of INR 10 crores where the state earns about INR 40 lakhs from issuance of annual export permits and on an average this trade contributes to about INR 14000 annually to the household economy of the collector. There are about 70 pharmaceutical industries operating in the state but obviously the state also certainly caters to the outside demands (HPMPSP, 2006).

State Govt. Conservation Programmers / Schemes :

Conservation Projects

Project Snow Leopard : 
The Snow leopard is the State animal of Himachal Pradesh, and the State Forest Department’s commitment to snow leopard conservation is evident in the active role it has played, along with the Nature Conservation Foundation, in assisting MoEF, GoI to develop Project Snow Leopard. These two agencies have also been collaborating to generate sound scientific knowledge in the Spiti Valley, one of India’s most important snow leopard landscapes.
Under this project, a globally unique, setting up of a field-based snow leopard research and conservation facility in the Spiti Valley has been proposed, to undertake India’s first comprehensive and long-term radio-collaring project on snow leopards and their prey. The only other such facility in Asia is the one set up by the Snow Leopard Trust, together with other partners and the Mongolian Government. However the Mongolian habitat differs considerably from the Himalayan ones; one primary difference being that while the former is mostly between 1,000 and 2,500m, the latter are mostly above 3,200 m.

Western Tragopan Conservation Programme :

Western Tragopan is among the rarest pheasants, endemic to a narrow range in the temperate region of the Greater Himalaya, between Northwest Frontier Province in Pakistan and western Uttarakhand in India (Birdlife International 2001). In all three major catchments (Beas, Satluj and Ravi) and also serves ‘flagship’ value on account of socio-cultural linkages with the traditional people. These attributes essentially guided the successful declaration of Western tragopan as 'the State Bird’ of Himachal Pradesh ( At present Jajurana ) 
While concerted efforts are continuing for in-situ management within the limits of resource pool (both fiscal and trained man-power), conservation breeding of Western Tragopan has long been included in the conservation agenda of the State, attributed to (a) small population size of the species in the wild, (b) virtually no captive population anywhere in the world, and (c) no credible technical know-how for breeding the species in captivity. Presently, there are 24 captive birds in Sarahan Pheasantry which is the only place in the world to hold Western Tragopan in captivity.

Chir Pheasant Conservation :

Himachal Pradesh has a great role to play in the field of pheasant conservation. The state alone represents seven species of pheasants out of total seventeen species found in India and fifty one species found in the whole of the world. Out of seven, two species namely Western Tragopan and Cheer Pheasants have been declared ‘vulnerable’ and are listed in IUCN Red Data Book. The presence or absence of pheasants indicates the ecological health of the area/ forest. The areas with optimum population of the pheasants are considered as ecologically balanced areas.

Govt. Schemes / Initiatives :

Integrated Forest Management System (IFMS) : It is an integrated web-based financial system for Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. It is accessible to all circles, divisions and range offices of the Department. It is being implemented to enhance efficiency, transparency and speed of communication among these offices of the department, besides financial reporting requirements.
It consists of integrated modules for Annual Planning, Budget Allocation, Expenditure Reporting and Stock Accounting.

JICA Project : The JICA-supported Project for Improvement of Himachal Pradesh Forest Ecosystems Management and Livelihoods was officially inaugurated yesterday, July 23, 2018. The objective of the Project is to manage and enhance forest area ecosystems in the project area, by sustainable forest ecosystem management, biodiversity conservation, livelihood improvement support and strengthening institutional capacity, thereby contributing to environmental conservation and sustainable socio-economic development in the state of Himachal Pradesh (HP).

‘Himachal Pradesh Forests for Prosperity’ :  The Project of Rs.1300 crore has been approved for funding from World Bank. This project will ensure increasing the green cover and protection of environment. This project will cover major activities like fuel wood plantations, improving forest products and participatory forests management.

Bio diversity Tourism Parks : In order to harbor natural heritage and enhance the quality of life of people in the cities, the Government is planning to develop Bio-diversity Tourism Parks at Kanlog and Sarahan in district Shimla, Kasol in district Kullu, Dharamshala in district Kangra, Paonta Sahib in district Sirmour and Mandi in district Mandi .

Himachal Pradesh Forest Eco-Systems Climate Proofing Project : A Bank of Federal Republic of Germany has approved ‘Himachal Pradesh Forest Eco-Systems Climate Proofing Project’ of Rs.310 crore under which various schemes are being implemented for forest conservation and development in Kangra and Chamba districts.

‘Sub-Mission on Agro Forestry’ :  With an objective to increase tree plantation in an integrated manner along with crops and livestock. In order to increase green cover, the government has fixed a target of 15000 hectare of forest land for raising plantation for this year. Saplings of broader leaves, wild fruit bearing and medicinal plants is being given special care while plantation so that besides adequate fodder, the rural people could get self-employment avenues from the fruits bearing and herbal medicinal plants.

‘Himachal Pradesh Environment Leadership Award’ scheme : Under the scheme institutions or individuals of the State who excel in promotion of environmental conservation and sustainable development by taking successful initiatives would be awarded. The Awards comprising a citation, trophy and cash prize of Rs. one lakh, Rs.50 thousand and Rs.25 thousand respectively.

New policy for salvage tree : The State Forest department has formulated a new policy for salvage timber (dry standing, fallen and uprooted trees) which so far was considered as uneconomical lots. As per the new policy, the salvage timber would be used for fuel and construction work and it would also help in generating revenue to the state government.
The removal of salvage trees would create space for natural and artificial regeneration which would benefit in improvement of tree cover.

Ecosystem services, human welfare and economic systems are intrinsically connected. Sustainable forest management, the new mantra, has emerged to meet societal concerns and tackle conservation and land-use issues, providing for multifunctional landscapes and looking to eco-regions rather than boundaries as
the unit of analysis and management. It is a movement away from the conventional, commodity production orientation, towards a holistic, people- centered ecosystem-level approach. This shift has been necessary to address Himachal Pradesh’s threat of depleting drinking water, global warming and likely biodiversity losses. 

The Government of Himachal Pradesh received national recognition in 2009 by receiving the Prime Minister Award for Excellence in Public Administration and otherawards for its achievements in both environment protection and in interactive e- governance that promotes communication as well as public consultation. The state has adopted the motto of ‘fast-track development in harmony with environment protection with the involvement of citizens. In order to ensure the sustainability of environmental heritage and natural resources and to develop a long term perspective of achieving environmentally sustainable development, the Government of Himachal Pradesh has undertaken the preparation of Environment Master Plan (EMP) for the State.