The Forest Department of Uttarakhand has developed India’s First Lichen Park in Munsyari(Munsiyari), Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand as a research centre with over 150 Lichen species – Jurassic Era plant which was inaugurated on 27th June 2020, The development process of the 1.5 acres park began in 2019.

About Lichen -

• Lichen is a composite organism.
• They grow on the surface of the trees, walls, rocks and soil due to the symbiotic relationship between Algae or Cyanobacteria with fungi species.
• The lichens have the ability to erode rocks and separate the minerals in them.
• They require require clean air to grow, which serves as an bio-indicator to scale the air pollution in a particular area.
• The species is widely found in the extreme conditions like arctic, tundra, hot dry desert rocky coasts

Uses of Lichen -

• Jhula Ghas, Lichen species is used as a spice in cooking.
• Lichens are used as an ingredient in preparation of perfumes in Kannauj for its aromatic properties.
• They are used in the production of sunscreen creams, dyes, medicines etc.