This study investigates the biodiversity status of degraded and intact sites at Har-ki-Dun alpine meadow in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, India, between altitudes of 3200 and 3900 m. This vast alpine meadow is extensively used for tourist campsites, illegal medicinal and aromatic plant extraction, and grazing by local villagers. The increasing pressure of grazing, along with abrupt observed climatic changes and natural stress in the form of cloud bursts, has had a marked impact on the biodiversity of the area. Meadow degradation was mapped using satellite data IRS P6 LISS-III and PAN merged data. We studied the biodiversity status and extent of degradation at various degraded and intact sites. The degraded sites were classified into ‘naturally degraded’ and ‘anthropogenically degraded’. The Har-ki-Dun alpine meadow occupies about 55 km2, out of which 22 km2 are in different states of degradation. We recorded 93 species in intact sites against 73 in naturally degraded and 76 in anthropogenically degraded sites, with varying frequency and density of palatable and unpalatable species. A total of 25% of the plant species in the intact protected site were not recorded in the naturally degraded sites, and 23% did not occur in the anthropogenically degraded sites. We recommend the restoration of each degradation category, according to the area's suitability for grassland protection, fodder cultivation, and farming of medicinal plants.
Impact of degradation on biodiversity status and management of an alpine meadow within Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Uttarkashi, India
Year: 2010
