Garhwal Post Bureau
Srinagar (Garhwal), 1 Dec: The High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre (HAPREC) of Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University and Udyogini have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conserve the endangered Himalayan herbs of Uttarakhand. The MOU will work to conserve and promote the endangered herbs in the high altitude areas. According to experts, the Bugyals of Uttarakhand are areas with unique biodiversity, but climate change, human interference, and unscientific exploitation have put these areas in serious danger. Therefore, HAPREC and Udyogini will work together to conserve and promote endangered medicinal plants.
During the MOU signing, HAPREC Director Dr Vijaykant Purohit said that the high Himalayan regions are the natural home of many medicinal and aromatic plants, but due to changing climate, external factors, and illegal exploitation, these important species are facing an existential threat, which is a matter of concern. Both HAPREC and Udyogini will work collaboratively in the field of herbal medicine and environmental conservation. Shivam Pant, Project Manager at Udyogini, explained that locals in the high altitude areas report that these meadows used to be full of medicinal species such as Hathjadi, Atis, Chora, and Meetha, but unscientific and unsustainable exploitation has rendered these extremely rare. This partnership is a necessary step to reverse this loss. He added that the MOU between Haprec and Udyogini aims to restore endangered species. He explained that this agreement focuses on the conservation of rare, threatened, and endangered species in Chamoli district. Its goal is not just to plant trees, but to ensure long-term ecological sustainability through scientific monitoring and community participation. He added that HAPREC will provide technical guidance and cultivate saplings of endemic species. It was stated that saplings prepared by the HAPREC Institute will be planted in the Bugyals of Van, Ghuni, Padair Nandanagar, Bharki Urgam, Pana Dasholi, Chami (Tharali) and Khainoli Narayanbagh.
Under the leadership of Senior Scientific Officer Dr Sudip Chandra Semwal, the responsibility of scientific guidance, supply of plant material and training structure will be taken. Many experts including Manish Panwar, Sunil Kumar, Virendra, Rakesh Bisht, Mahavir Singh Rawat, Laxman Singh, Deepak Mishra of Udyogini as well as Dr Jaydev Chauhan and Kailash Kandpal of the Institute will actively contribute in the campaign.
