ecowhisper, vol 1. issue 1.,june 2014

ECO

Vol. 1. Issue 1. , June, 2014

WHISPER

Society for Conserving Planet And Life (COPAL) Srinagar Garhwal, 246174, Uttarakhand, India

www.copal.org.in

Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.

Agro-diversity

Wild Mushrooms

Maasai Mara

Inland Mangroves

Climate Vulnerability

Earth Colours

Intergenerational partnerships

Kedarnath Rehabilitation

A Miraculous Plant

© 2014, EcoWhisper

COPAL Publications

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. EcoWhisper the Environmental magazine contains

material protected Copyright Policy of Govt. of India. Any unauthorized reprint

or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this magazine may be

reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or

mechanical without express written permission from the publishers.

Society for Conserving Planet and Life (COPAL)

was founded because of the need for

environmental conservation and protection of

many neglected natural resources and

landscapes. The mission of COPAL is to initiate

the process of responsible thinking followed by

responsible actions by incorporating science and

societal participation in conserving and

managing natural resources. Our process of

conservation and management of natural

resources follows sound ecological principles

coupled with traditional and indigenous

knowledge, scientific technology and community

involvement. After years of working in various

ecologically important landscapes, discussions

and having more like minded individuals joining

the forum the organization was registered in

August, 2010 as a Public Trust and Society.

ECO WHISPER Volume 1, Issue 1. June, 2014

EcoWhisper is published by Society for

Conserving Planet And Life (COPAL)

Address:

Society for Conserving Planet And Life

(COPAL)

Badrinath Road,

Srinagar Garhwal, 246174

Uttarakhand

India.

Website: www.copal.org.in

Webpage: www.facebook.com/copal.org

Blog: http://copalindia.blogspot.in/

Editor in Chief

Dr. D. Dhyani, India

Copy Editors

Dr. Kausik Banerjee, India

Dr. Anurag Dhyani, Ethiopia

Sri. D. P. Dhyani, India

Design and Layout

Dr. D. Dhyani, India

Cover Photo

Dr. Vikram S. Negi, India

Publisher

COPAL publications

Eco Whisper Vol. 1. Issue 1. , 2014

(i)

http://www.copal.org.in/

http://www.facebook.com/copal.org

In SiGHT

Women attributes in Conserving Traditional Agro-diversity of Himalayas- Dr. Vikram S. Negi Glimpses of wild mushroom: A walk in the forest of Garhwal, India – Dr. K.C. Semwal Unusual Treasures From Natural Trails - Dr. Shalini Dhyani

Fostering a vision for a just conservation through intergenerational partnerships-Catie Burlando, Melanie Zurba and Elaine Hsiao Saussurea gossypiphora D. Don: A Miraculous Species- Dr. Manohar Lal

Wild Harmony- Kareff Rafisura Impact of climate change on people with disabilities - Koisani Peter Kedarnath Disaster: Plan to rehabilitate

-Dr. D. Dhyani

Earth Colours: An initiative to link conservation with livelihood

EcoWhisper Vol. 1. Issue 1. , 2014

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2 (6-11)

3 (12-15)

4 (16-17)

5 (18-19)

6(20-28)

7(29)

(ii)

8(30-32)

9(33)

Editorial

Dear Readers,

I enthusiastically welcome and invite you all to read our first and inaugural

issue of Eco Whisper, an environmental magazine by Society for Conserving Planet

and Life. It is a great pleasure to launch our inaugural issue on 5th June, 2014 on

World Environment Day with a clear theme “Lets raise our voices, not the sea level”.

EcoWhisper is for all, no matter they belongs to scientific society or not. We have

tried to make it a mass magazine so, that they can connect themselves with it.

EcoWhisper is a whispering voice of you all who think, love, act and live environment

inside their soul, mind and heart and want to be the change they want to see.

We have aimed to bring a articles that initiate a responsible thought process

and understanding our responsibility towards environment. Some of them provide

you an overview of about diverse nature like one on Glimpses of wild mushroom: A

walk in the forest of Garhwal, India gives a vibrant insight to the magnificent world

of mushrooms. An excellent article on Saussurea gossypiphora D. Don: A Miraculous

Species throws light lesser known and threatened biodiversity profile of a high

altitude plant. You all are going to enjoy the diversity of our nature through them. A

tale of Unusual Treasures From Natural Trails takes you to remote deserts of India

with rich cultural heritage sites like one discussed on inland mangroves; a rare

phenomenon. Wild Harmony is a beautiful picture story from Maasai Mara and an

added beauty to this magazine and gives the magazine a global touch. Women

attributes in Conserving Traditional Agro-diversity of Himalayas and Kedarnath

Disaster: Plan to rehabilitate are going to a must read and appreciable stories from

Indian Himalayan Region that was recently hit by Himalayan Tsunami and caused

massive disaster and loss of life, nothing but an indication towards our changing

climate. Fostering a vision for a just conservation through intergenerational

partnerships and Impact of climate change on people with disabilities are new

perspectives to ponder more and act more upon and I am sure is going to provide

more that what our readers are expecting from our first issue.

Last but not the least I hand this issue to you all to have an overview and please get

back to us with your feedbacks regarding our first issue that are surely going to

motivate us for our forthcoming issues.

Happy Readings..!!

Dr. D. Dhyani

Editor in Chief

(iii)


Women attributes in Conserving Traditional Agro-diversity of Himalayas

Vikram S. Negi

The traditional crop diversity and their

landrace in agricultural land use in

Himalayas have great significant for

long term sustainability of agro-

ecosystem along with conservation and

management surrounding landscape.

Traditional crop varieties and races,

which evolved over time through trial

and error, not only provide basic

nutritional requirements, but also food

security. Loss of crop biodiversity has

taken place over the years, principally

and inadvertently related to changing

lifestyle and growing demand of

cash crops in the regional market. For


sustainable landscape development, the

on-farm conservation of traditional

crop diversity is urgently needed.

Women in central Himalaya always play

a significant role in managing and

operating most of the household and

agricultural activities. They are

considered as the backbone of hill

agriculture. Hill/mountain women with

extensive knowledge of practices still

trying mixed farming with traditional

seeds to increase on-farm diversity.

They are also recycling the resources on

a mixed system through animal

husbandry, annual crops and other tree

PERSPECTIVE


1.


components. Women particularly

those living in rural areas or mountain

areas have special relationship with

the environment. They are more close

to the nature than men and this close

relationship makes them perfect

managers of an eco-system. Women

indicated that special incentives and

ecological compensation are necessary

to promote profitable conservation of

local and traditional crop varieties

because traditional crops or local

crops are hardier with an ability of

coping with the adverse climatic

condition. Inclusion of these crops

into the cropping system will therefore

produce the required food security,

particularly to those communities who

live in the fragile ecosystems like

Uttarakhand. Agricultural practices

are the main stay of the people in

Uttarakhand and about 80% of the

population is actively engaged in

agricultural activities. Due to

variations in climatic conditions,

unavailability of reliable market

accompanied by large family size on

small fragmented farms on small

terraces covered on steep slopes have

led the farmers to adopt the

subsistence farming systems which

are characterized by substantial

diversity and also high degree of self-

reliance. The farming of crops is

mostly traditional and overall

cropping pattern of the mountain

region of central Himalaya is

typically of an underdeveloped

agricultural economy. The change

from traditional subsistence

agriculture to cash-crop-based

agriculture has been advancing in

the last three decades. Many

traditional crops have thus totally

vanished; some others are at the

brink of extinction and subsequently

decreased the area under traditional

crop. Consequently, the ecological

and economic security of the

traditional agro-ecosystem of this

region appears to be in jeopardy. It is

only women farmer who are still

2.


and food processing. Elusine

coracana, Setaria elatica,

Amaranthus spp, Chenopodium

album, Fagopyrum tataricum,

Fagopyrum esculentum, Hordeum

vulgare, Pisum arvense, Vigna

mungo, Macrotyloma uniflorum,

Phaeolus vulgaries, Glycine max,

Perilla frutescens, cleome viscose,

Cajanus cajan, Vigna angularis,

Vigna unguiculata constitute the

principal traditional crops along with

two main cereals Triticum aestivum

and Oryza sativa of Uttarakhand.

Applying farm yard manure (FYM)

by women farmer is one of the most

useful and significant indigenous

methods practiced almost in all the

villages of the region which is an

excellent resource for organic crop

production and supplies nutrients

and organic matter, stimulating the

trying to conserve traditional agro -

diversity with their extensive

indigenous practicing knowledge

through promotion to traditional

crops cultivation. They have

developed and refined this

knowledge and technique over

centuries by carrying out farming

under diverse, uncertain and fragile

ecological condition. Women are

heavily involved in subsistence crop

production. The extent to which rural

women are involved in agricultural

production is a function of numerous

interlinked factors. In crop

production, women work long hours

as comparison to men in sowing,

transplanting, fertilizing, weeding,

thinning, harvesting, threshing and

winnowing, and in many post-

harvest activities such as bagging,

sorting, grading, cleaning, storage

3.


which is an important part of crop

rotation. On the production front

women often consider nutritious

aspects while making crops choices.

The richness of crop diversity in the

region is apparent from the fact that

women traditionally harvest more

than twelve grains and pluses in one

year under mixed cropping system

which locally known as Barahnaja

and have evolved a very effective

mechanism to prevent total crop

failure to ensure food security. These

women farmers of the region have

realized that their crops have unique

selling prize as a bio-products

because they don’t use chemical

fertilizer during cropping, The

biological processes in the soil that

help to build fertility. Application

of FYM is a practice which involves

using of fully decomposed organic

matter of livestock dung, straw,

grasses, left over feed etc.

According to the women farmers,

application of farm yard manure is

mandatory for the maintenance of

crop productivity. Crop rotation is

an important feature of the system

and help to maintain the diversity

of species grown, as is the

distribution of crop in the growing

period and management of soil

fertility. Importance of pulses

(legumes) as a “Soil Fertility

Maintainer” cannot be ignored

4.

sustainability of the region to

maintain a symbiotic relationship

with natural resources. However, all

these efforts need institutional

support. Himalayan women have the

necessary skill and (indigenous)

knowledge and sharpness to utilize

this opportunities. The only necessity

is to evolve a community based

institutional mechanism to utilize

these wisdoms into policy making. A

participatory approach through

institutional and policy support is

required for developing new

strategies and approaches for land

utilization with the participation of

women at ground level. Capacity

building and skill development of

women groups through training/live

demonstrations/field exercises of

new technological interventions is

urgently needed. There is an

imperative need to give special

attention for making them an equal

associate in the policy framing or in

program implementation.


Dr. Vikram Singh Negi currently works with G.B. Pant Institute of

Himalayan Environment and Development, Uttarakhand. He has enormous

experience of working in a variety of issues at different altitudinal zones of

Central Himalaya His work includes a variety of themes including NRM,

ecosystem services, biodiversity conservation, land rehabilitation, climate

variability, agro-biodiversity.. His work exemplifies an interdisciplinary

approach where he used both the tools of natural science and social sciences to

analyze interlinkages and interdependencies of domestic and natural

ecosystems. He brings with him extensive work experience of Capacity

Building for Entrepreneurship Development and Self Employment in the

Himalayan Region.

products cultivated through organic

farming known as organic product

and they are gaining worldwide

popularity due high nutritional value

and having no harmful effect on

human beings. Women farmers

supplying organic products, found

their goods to be in high demand and

have created marketing network

through various NGOs and trade

fares. Proper processing and selling

through organized channel could

enhance market value of their

products. These platforms enable

women farmers to access quicker

benefits. Interestingly, it is being

now realized that traditional crops

have importance as a health food,

largely due to their nutritive

composition, including high dietary

fibre apart from their traditional role

as a staple food under the marginal

agriculture. The above illustration

shows that women by their share

inventiveness have successfully

shown how to preserve traditional

crops and agro-diversity or can say

ecosystem

5.

Glimpses of wild mushroom A walk in the forest of Garhwal, India

K.C. Semwal

Garhwal Himalaya is located in the

Uttarakhand state of India. This part

of North-western Himalayan range

bestowed with dense forests, high

peak mountains and peculiar

topography. The Himalayan range

starts with the lower Shiwalik area to

alpine zones with snow covered high

peaks. This region of Garhwal

Himalaya received good rainfall in

the monsoon season and it creates a

favourable humid condition to grow

fleshy fungi. They are decomposers,

pathogens and the most amazingly

form “mycorrhizal association” with

the rootlets of the trees. In this

Interdependent mutualistic

relationship, the host tree or plant

receives more nutrients from the soil

since it increase the area to uptake

nutrients with the help of extended

fungus mycelium, increases tolerance

to stresses, and the fungi obtain

carbon compounds from and shelter

from the host tree.

Walk Observation….. During the different phases of wild

mushroom study in the Garhwal

Himalaya, India, the virtuosity of

wild mushrooms are fascinating. In

Garhwal Himalayan forests various

kinds of wild mushrooms grow 6.


TRAVELOUGE


during the rainy season. Different

kinds of shapes and growth patterns

of those always gain attention of the

visitors of forest. The diversity of

wild mushroom is amazingly huge in

these tropical foothill regions

(dominant with Shorea robusta tree

species), coniferous subtropical

forest (dominant with exclusively

Pinus roxburghii), moist

broadleaved temperate forest

(dominant with Oak- Quercus

leucotrichophora) to temperate

coniferous forest (dominant with

Cedrus deodara) regions. These

various kinds of fungus creatures

include “Bird Nest” fungus (Cyathus

Sp., Fig. 1). To observe these

creatures, forest travellers need keen

eyes because their size is always

small. These fungi are found in soil,

near dung, on twigs or near stone

slits etc. “Clubs & Coral Fungi”

resembles broadened stick and ‘coral

reefs’ found in the oceans. They can

be identified with their unique club

shaped structure. Clavaria (Fig. 2)

grows in damp soil among moss

preferably in coniferous woodland.

Dacryopinax (Fig. 3) grows on

decaying wood, generally on

broadleaved trees, sometimes

colonized on fired wood also.

Ramaria (Fig. 4) grows on ground in

both coniferous and broadleaved

forests, on rotting wood. Xylaria

(Fig. 5) is found growing on decaying

wood, generally occurred in

Dipterocarp forest in lower

Himalayan tropical climatic zone.

Appearance of Sparassis Sp. gives

impression of “Cauliflower” (Fig. 6).

It is a parasitic mushroom, grows as

a pathogen on coniferous trees. It is

easy to identify on field due to its

morphology. It is very delicious and

nutritious. The “Wood Ears”

(Auricularia sp., Fig. 7) is another

fungus also known as jelly fungi

grows on the live or dead wood

trunks, and grouped in decomposers.

This fungus is edible and

delicious. People in the oriental

countries like Tibet and China are

used to eat it in rainy season. In

Garhwal Himalaya, Tibetan refugees

introduced it to local people to

consume. Tibetan refugees tell this

mushroom Muro in Tibetan

language. Hydnum (Fig. 8) is a type

of fungi in which a tooth like

projection is found in the place of

gills or pores (underside to cap). It is

one of the most delicious edible

fungi, prized for their good sweet in

the world, but not in Garhwal

Himalaya. Coprinus species (Fig. 9)

is commonly known as “Inky caps”.

The name Inky caps is only due to its

property to turn as ink after decaying

7.


1 2

3 4

5 6

7 8

8.

9 10

11 12

13 & 14

15

16 17


9.


or produce ink in water. They are also

saprophytes, help in decomposition of

dung, wood, and litter. Sometimes in

an open grassland and open canopy

site of the forest some ‘fungus circle’

observed during the visit. Generally

these fungus circles are known as

“fairy ring”. In Garhwal Himalaya two

species founds to form fairy ring, one

is Agaricus sp. (Fig. 10) and other is

Lepiota species. They occur in open

grass lands and outskirts of forest

grasslands. It is a peculiar type of

growth habit of fungi. Another star

shaped creatures commonly known as

“Earth Star” (Geastrum sp. Fig. 11) is

easy to see on forest floor due to its

shape. “Stink horn Fungi” (Mutinus

sp. Fig. 12) is named because it

produces an unpleasant smell similar

to that of rotten meat. The flies attract

on this horn helps in dispersal of

spores. These creatures were found

among leaf litter of planted

Eucalyptus sp. in Garhwal Himalaya.

During the course of forest forays in

the high altitudes of Garhwal

Himalaya a well known but under

threatened species of fung were

observed, vernacularly known as

“Caterpillar fungus” or “Keeda

Ghas” (Cordyceps sp. Fig. 13). It is

commonly known as Yartsa gunbu

or “summer grass-winter worm” in

Tibet, Bhutan and China. The

property of this fungus is to invade

the insect larva killing it and

producing a fruiting body out of its

head. This fungus has a long history

in traditional Chinese medicine and

in traditional Tibetan medicine. To

protect it to being extinct or to

prevent overexploitation, the

government of Uttrakhand state has

the policy to collect these medicinally

important fungi in particular timings

in high altitude of Garhwal

Himalaya. A specific and less

encountered species, locally known

as “Guchhi” or Morels (Morchella

sp., Fig. 14 & 15) observed in March-

April spring season, especially after

10.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larva

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruiting_body

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_medicine

Lightening and thundering. Morels

founds especially in temperate

Coniferous woodland. Two types of

Morels were observed during the

forays, the first one was black morel

and the second was yellow morel.

Black morel was observed in

coniferous woodland during March-

April while yellow morel observed in

Apple orchards during late rainy

season in October in forest sites. This

mushroom is famous for its delicacy

and high priced value.

Local people collect and dry

these prized mushrooms and sell in

open market with a price tag of Rs.

12,000-16,000 per Kg., (Fig. 16).

Colorful mushrooms always attract

visitors and they include “Yellow

Chanterelles” (Cantharellus sp., Fig.

17) and Milky cap (Lactarius indigo,

Fig. 18); edible wild mushroom

collected by the local people in the

Uttarakhand Himalaya. However, L.

indigo is not collected by local people

but it is consumed in other countries.

Ganoderma (Fig.19) is a species with


fan- shaped appearance, with glossy,

brightly reddish brown cap. It

colonizes the rooting tree trunk. It is

not soft as other mushrooms; rather

it is hard and leathery in consistency.

Ganoderma lucidum is one of the

most precious mushrooms known for

their medicinal properties. It is

cultivated in orient countries and in

India as well.

Threat possibilities

The mushroom species encountered

during the forest forays in the

Garhwal Himalaya assumed as there

are possibilities of threat to

extinction for some species at some

extent, because among these some

are over exploited to earn easy

money by the local peoples. The

major threat is recognised only for

two groups Morchella and

Cordycepys species. These both

groups have high value due to its

taste and medicinal properties

respectively.

Dr. Kamal C Semwal, a mycologist, presently working as an Assistant

Professor in Department of Botany, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. He has vast

experience of wild mushroom of North-Western Himalaya particularly fungal

diversity, taxonomy and ecology. He has published more than a dozen research

papers in peer reviewed national and international research journals. He has

recorded many interesting mushroom species new to Science from India from

Garhwal Himalaya with his co-workers. Some species are under study to be

proposed as new to the scientific world.

11.

Unusual Treasures From Natural Trails

Shalini Dhyani


During my stay in Kachchh part of

Gujarat last year I had a very

privileged opportunity to visit once

Asia’s biggest grassland “Banni” in

Kachchh and adjoining areas. The

unique natural treasures lie scattered

like oasis in arid deserts of Gujarat.

These unique sites and areas make

the state a rich bio diversity and

cultural hot spot. Spread over 7506

sq. km, the Kachchh Wildlife

Sanctuary of Gujarat alone hosts

several rare archaeological and

ecological wonders. One among

many such treasures is the existence

of a unique Inland mangrove grove

at Shravan Kavadia. Mythological

story behind the place is that during

Ramayan era, the famous character

“Shravan Kumar” who carried his

parents on “Kavda”- a similar to

balance came to this place to quench

thirst of his parents from the water of

this well - so, “Shravan Kavadia” is

the name given to this hermitage.

Amazing and interesting part of this

journey was to visit this Inland

mangrove site of Shravan Kavadia, a

biodiversity heritage site in Gujarat.

It is the one of the only inland

mangrove patches in India, (for

information: there are also a few 12.

INSIGHT

Inland Mangrove patches present in

Peru, South America). Shravan

Kavadia is far away and entirely cut

off from the sea and over 45 km

inland of it. Shravan Kavadia is a

land locked mangrove patch of just

0.7 hectare; previously the area was

reported to be about 1.5 ha. Only

single mangrove species Avicennia

marina can be seen in this stand.

Amazingly, the Avicennia

marina mangroves stand high in a

cluster, resembling banyan trees in

height and are dependent on

underground supply of saline water,

which in turn is dependent on the

annual influx from the sea. Shravan

Kavadia is located on the fringe area


millennia. Land, like a port at

Sindree, has sunk below sea level; or,

like the Shravan Kavadiya area near

Bhuj may have raised above it. The

unique inland mangrove patch is an

evidence of the ancient shoreline

proving the historical evidence for

geomorphologic change in the region

is obvious due to the Holocene

transgression of the sea. Most of the

trees of this site were badly damaged

during a 1998 cyclone. The

remaining and partially damaged

majorly top broken surviving trees

count very less. However, in 1998-

2000, when the area was demarcated

as an inland mangrove site, about

100 mangroves were reported

surviving.

Next to this temple is a dense

forest of Prosopis juliflora,

Salvadora persica, S. oleoides and

its associate species. This unique

stand of inland mangroves is about a

kilometer inside this forest and not

visible from the road head. “Shravan

Cheriya (mangrove) is very rich in its

of Banni grassland (once this

grassland used to be the biggest

grassland in entire Asia and habitat

of Cheetah). Kachchh, is a high risk

earthquake zone and seismologists

had always been expressing their

concerns about the danger, basing

their view on mountain-building

activity in the area. The area has

been driven by seismic activity for 13.


avi faunal diversity and small

mammals like jackals” informs

Radha Ben, a local resident of

Kunarai village. Lot of dead and

decaying necromass (both standing

and fallen) lies scattered on the

forest floor.

Locals of nearby villages have

never collected these huge dead and

decaying biomass of Avicennia for

firewood purpose. Lack of moisture

and increased desert temperatures

during day time makes

decomposition very slow. “We

cannot take the wood for personal

use of this sacred Cheriya

(mangrove) otherwise the deity will

curse us” informs Haider Bhai of

Jawahar Nagar, a nearby village.

This unique mangrove site has been

declared as biodiversity heritage site

by state forest department and ban

imposed in collection of any

biomass from this stand is also major

factor.

Coppicing/stump regeneration (a

form of regeneration in trees where

sprouting happens from cut stumps)

in some trees has also been observed

that indicates slow regeneration. The

area is not swampy or marshy still

rhizophores are present and most of

rhizophores seem to be rudimentary

showing adaptations and

transformations for being on land for

millennia. Though, Shravan

Kavadia is first of a kind inland

mangrove site in Gujarat but there

was no doubt in finding a few other

inland mangrove sites in the

14.

*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of her employer.


desert of Gujarat lying unnoticed and

unreported due to transgression of

sea. Hence, while our regular field

trips we could discover second site in

Kachchh Gujarat at village Guneri in

Lakhpat Taluka of Kachchh. The

inland mangrove site at Guneri

village is even smaller than this

patch and only few mangrove trees

are present.

Geological ambiguity

Earthquake in Kutch, north-western

India, is one of the most noteworthy

events to have occurred in a plate-

interior setting. Dr. R. V. Karanth of

geology department at MS

University, Baroda, had pointed out

the danger in one of her research

papers last year, asserting that the

earthquakes in the area were fallout

of mountain – building in the area,

much as in the Himalayas.

“It had taken the Himalayas over 40

million years to rise to its present

height and that it had taken about

two million years for the hills to rise

in Bhuj to about 400 metres” points

Dr. Karanth. The unique inland

mangrove patch is an evidence of the

ancient shoreline proving the

historical evidence for

geomorphologic change in the region

at a rate of 1.3 cm/year is obvious

due to the Holocene transgression of

the sea.

There is a need to conserve such

unique sites from natural and

anthropogenic interference, if any, so

that our coming generations feel

proud after seeing such natural

treasures of India.

Dr. Shalini Dhyani is an ardent ecologist presently working as a Scientist with

CSIR-NEERI. She has extensive work experience in Western Himalayas, Deserts,

Coasts & mangrove ecosystems of Kachchh, Gujarat and Western Ghats on a variety

of issues. She is invited member of specialist group Commission on Spiritual Values of

Protected Areas (CSVPA) of Commission on Ecosystem Economic and Social Policy

and Commission of Ecosystem Management (CEESP) in IUCN and Core Group of

IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) South Asia. She was selected

among 100 women for their exceptional work in Asia by Asian Rural Women’s

Coalition (ARWC), Malaysia for her work on Fodder Bank to reduce drudgery of rural

women in Himalayas.

15.

Fostering a vision for a just conservation through intergenerational partnerships


The Commission on Envionmental,

Economic and Social Policy (CEESP)'s

mission is to contribute to the IUCN

Mission by providing insights and expertise

and promoting policies and action to

harmonize the conservation of nature with

the crucial socioeconomic and cultural

concerns of human communities. Since

2011, the CEESP Youth Network has been

contributing to CEESP's priority areas by

recognizing and supporting emerging

leaders in the structures, policies and

activities of CEESP—promoting the

involvement of youth and young

professionals within CEESP, and fostering

cross-commission collaboration.

Opportunities and experiences have

not been lacking! For example, at the World

Conservation Congress held in Jeju in 2012,

the CEESP Youth Network worked with all

I U C N Commissions to bring young

community leaders, practitioners and

researchers to launch and promote the

Intergenerational Partnership for

Sustainability and share on their

experiences.

Many great outcomes were

achieved at the 2012 Congress, including

those that involved youth in leadership

positions (see In Interactive report). Jeju,

the IUCN Congress asked CEESP to lead

discussions for the development of two

new knowledge products that will focus

on the social aspects of conservation and

that are explicit aims of the IUCN 2013-

2016 Global Program. CEESP's Theme on

Governance, Equity and Rights and the

Theme on Environment, Conflict and

Security, in collaboration with

ELC/WCEL, are developing the Natural

Resources Governance Framework, to

assess effectiveness of legal, political and

institutional arrangements which impact

Catie Burlando, CEESP Youth Newtork Advisor

Melanie Zurba, Intergenerational Partnership for Sustainability Co-Convener and CEESP member

Elaine Hsiao, WCPA Young Professionals Co-Vice Chair & CEESP member

16.

PARTNERSHIP

http://intergenerationalpartnership.wikispaces.com/wcc2012

https://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/iucn_natural_resource_governance_framework_brief_2013.pdf

https://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/iucn_natural_resource_governance_framework_brief_2013.pdf


use of natural resources and to promote

governance that enhances the

contributions of biodiversity to

sustainability. The Theme on Sustainable

Livelihoods and the Sustainable Use

Specialist Group are developing the

Human Dependency on Nature

Framework to quantify the nature and

scope of household and community

reliance on nature (or wild resources), and

to provide better data and tools to

policymakers and communities on how

ecosystem services are part of livelihood

strategies. These tools will go side by side

with internationally renowned IUCN

knowledge products such as the IUCN Red

List of Threatened Species, Protected

Planet (powered by the World Database on

Protected Areas), Key Biodiversity Areas

and the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. Also

on this front, young CEESP members have

been active participants.

Finally, the World Parks Congress,

to be held in Sydney between November 12

to 19, 2014, is a landmark global forum

on protected areas and set the agenda for

protected areas conservation for decades to

come. Parks Canada, IUCN World

Commission on Protected Areas Young

Professionals Group, IUCN Commission on

Education and Communications (CEC),

and IUCN Taskforce on Intergenerational

Partnership for Sustainability are co-

leading the “Inspiring a New Generation”

stream. The stream will encourage

forward-looking multi-media workshops,

presentations and discussions on

innovative programs to support the

public’s discovery of and connection to

nature, and will bring the powerful voices

of today’s generation of young leaders

within the parks and conservation

community to the Congress. As we prepare

for Congress, this will represent a

tremendous opportunity for young people

and youth organizations or networks to be

involved and help in creating bridges

towards the governance of a sustainable

and just conservation.

Catie Burlando is main author of this article. She has completed her Ph.D. at the

Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba in 2012. Catie is currently

located in Northeastern Italy where she is collaborating with a Local Action

Group on mountain development planning efforts within the context of Europe

2020. Catie has been a member of CEESP since 2010, and was invited to join the

Steering Committee in September 2011 as the CEESP youth and intergenerational

partnership advisor. In this role, Catie will continue on her efforts to support

intergenerational partnerships within CEESP, including by promoting youth's

participation at the World Parks Congress in 2014, and in cross-commission

efforts

. 17.

For information on how to get involved with the CEESP Youth Network, please contact Catie Burlando: [email protected]. For information on how to get involved with the WCPA Young Professionals SG, please contact Elaine Hsiao and Sudeep Jana: [email protected], [email protected].

http://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/news_by_date/2013/?12651/Developing-the-Human-Dependency-on-Nature-Framework--Update-on-the-process

http://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/news_by_date/2013/?12651/Developing-the-Human-Dependency-on-Nature-Framework--Update-on-the-process

http://worldparkscongress.org/programme/stream_inspiring_a_new_generation.html

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Saussurea gossypiphora D. Don: A Miraculous Species

Manohar Lal

Asteraceae is forth largest family of

vascular plants in the globe. In India,

the family is estimated to have about

900 species under 167 genera.

Saussurea, a large genus of annual,

biannual or perennial herbs is

distributed in the temperate and

arctic regions of Asia, Europe and

North America. In the world 456

species belong to this genus. About

61 species are reported from India, of

which Saussurea costus (Kuth) and

Saussurea obvallata (Brahma

Kamal) are Critically Endangered

and Saussurea simpsoniana

(Maana) is Endangered. During the

workshop held at Shimla from 22-

25th May 2003 on “Conservation

Assessment and Management

Prioritization”, status of Saussurea

gossypiphora in Northwestern

Himalayan states of Jammu &

Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and

Uttarakhand was assessed based on

population reduction due to habitat

loss and harvesting. According to

this report, status of Saussurea

gossypiphora in Jammu & Kashmir

is Near Threatened, in Himachal

Pradesh, Critically Endangered and

in Uttrakhand, Vulnerable.

Astonishing beauty of Saussurea


BIODIVERSITY

18.

'

gossypiphora (Ghughi) inspired me

to write short note on this species.

During last seven years, I gave

frequent visit to the alpine zone up to

5300m and only once I came across

this plant. I found it 600m away from

Rohtang pass at an altitude 4100 m.

It is short, stout, erect, 15-20 cm in

height and with an astonishing

appearance. The whole plant was

covered with soft cottony white hairs;

radical leaves sessile, remotely

toothed and narrowed towards the

base; cauline leaves covered by

matted white hairs and rarely occurs

in dry rocky alpine zone of the Indian

Himalaya from Kashmir to Sikkim,

between 3800-5600m. In Xizhang,

China, Dr. Been successfully cultured

it from leaf segments on MS medium.

But, in India such studies have not

been done so far. The species possess

some medicinal properties. In

Chinese and Tibetan traditional

medicine systems it is used to cure

gynaecological, mental and

menstrual disorder, promoting the

blood circulation, healing asthma,

cuts, bruises, cough and hysteria. In

Kullu and Lahaul Spiti districts, the

plant is offered for worship at

shrines, put in caps as blessing of

God and to guard against evil spirits.

Traditionally, it is believed that it is

miraculous if Saussurea

gossypiphora and Saussurea

simpsoniana are found together. The

Himalayan musk deer extensively

grazes the flowers of Saussurea

gossypiphora. Harvesting and

grazing cause reduction in species

density and frequency. Like other

medicinal and threatened plants

“Snowball” also need to undertake an

in depth scientific exploration and

investigation for in-situ and ex-situ

conservation.


Dr. Manohar Lal, an ecologist by profession currently works with GB Pant

institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kullu, Himachal

Pradesh. He has worked for various threatened plants including medicinal and

aromatic plants on a variety of ecological zones. He has also worked on

Morphological and ecological characterization, germplasm collection and

propagation of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.) in cold deserts of Himachal

Pradesh. He has published more than 30 research papers including book and

scientific reports.

19.

Wild Harmony

Kareff Rafisura

PHOTO FEATURES


20.

Wild harmony is the

phrase that comes to my mind when I

recollect my visit to Maasai Mara

National Park- a wildlife sanctuary in

south-western Kenya in February 2012

and July 2013. Nature can be fickle so I

didn’t really have a high expectation.

However the universe must have

conspired in my favour because I

witnessed a lion kill - with all the gore

and drama – during my first game

drive! I share my story through this

photo essay. Hope you will enjoy it.

This experience has changed me from

someone who just loves nature trips to a

person who has become contemplative

of her lifestyle and buying decisions.

Coming face to face with these

beautiful, strong, yet fragile animals

urged me to live simply. Even though I

life halfway across the world, the

decisions that I make could potentially

contribute to the pressures that affect

wildlife – climate change, human

conflicts, pollution, habitat destruction.

Every decision to buy a new cell-phone,

computer or car contributes to the drive

to explore fragile ecosystems to open up

new mining frontiers, find new energy

sources, and lands that ultimately affect

these animals and their habitats. One

doesn’t need to be a conservation

activist in order to realize that we have

to re-examine our lifestyles in order to

live in harmony with the wild

It was around 7.30 AM when my guide and I spotted a pride assembled just opposite to grazing buffaloes. They were observing the buffaloes so keenly. It was quite obvious that they are going for a kill.

Then the female lions started advancing one by one. The advance was so slow and

methodical - as if following a carefully planned tactical formation.


21.

Another lion advancing towards the buffaloes.

While the rear-guards were waiting for their turn. At this point, we can already see their targets - a mother

and a baby buffalo who were grazing away from the rest of the herd. I learned that unlike tigers, lions are not

fast runners. Hence their strategy is to isolate the prey before launching an attack


22.

From their initial position, they all moved to a slightly higher ground as if doing a reconnaissance

She was clearly outnumbered but she put up a really good fight


Vol. 1. Issue 1. , 2014

23.

In a matter of seconds, the first group of lions (mostly females) ferociously attacked the mother buffalo. I was

cursing her for straying from the herd but I realized that she was probably trying to protect her baby. (I got

this and the next photo from another tourist. I stopped taking photos as soon as I saw the lions pounding the

poor buffalo because I couldn't stand the goriness of it all)

With 5 to 6 lions pounding the buffalo, I thought that was the end of it. But when she was very close to defeat, a

hundred or so buffaloes launched a counter-offensive - almost out of nowhere


Vol. 1. Issue 1. , 2014

24.

Sadly however the baby buffalo got killed. The lions had her/him for breakfast

They successfully rescued the mother buffalo and more than a hundred of the chased the lions away.


Vol. 1. Issue 1. , 2014

25.

The buffaloes turned their attention to the lions who were eating the baby buffalo. But I observed that unlike

their daring rescue operation earlier, the buffalo attack this time was calculated and tentative. I was also

surprised that the lions did not even attempt to fight back.

And this is the end of the 45-minute drama that changed the way I look at buffaloes. Whatever they lacked

in strength, they made up for numbers and teamwork. These guys deserve more respect and a Disney

movie!


Vol. 1. Issue 1. , 2014

26.

I felt that the lions gave up too easily on the mother buffalo. But maybe that's the real law of the jungle -

even if you are powerful, you should also know when to cut losses and walk away. — at Masaai Mara.

Still looking hungry and probably going for another kill tomorrow. — at Masaai Mara.


Vol. 1. Issue 1. , 2014

27.

.

*The views expressed are of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of her employer.

Kareff Rafisura, presently working with the UN and is based in Bangkok

after serving in Nepal and Ghana. Besides, she has also worked with various

international research organisations. She has a vast research experience on

climate, participatory governance, and environmental management issues.

Kareff holds a Masters in Climate and Society from the Department of Earth

and Environmental Sciences from Columbia University, New York, with

graduate-level coursework in International Studies completed at De La Salle

University in Manila. Kareff loves travelling to wild places, is a avid reader

and an excellent nature photographer.

28.


Vol. 1. Issue 1. , 2014

The impact of climate change on

people with disabilities Koisani Peter


“It Is tIme to make a dIfference, and If you think you are too small to make a

difference, try sleepIng wIth a mosquIto.”

Koisani Peter, is a young environmental enthusiast from Africa. He is dedicatedly working for climate change in Kenya. Presently, he is working with young generation to build the capacity by raising awareness on climate change and it’s severe effects on human beings and it’s environment. Besides, he and his group are also working on various conservation issues of wildlife including prevention of killing and poaching of elephants and other wild animals in Africa.

Due to existing inequities and disparities,

people with disabilities will face a

disproportionate impact due to climate

change. People with disabilities and their

families need adaptation and coping

strategies and robust systems and

mechanisms that can mitigate and

minimize the harmful effects of climate

change, and promote sustainable access to

basic necessities, secure livelihoods, health

care, and social and civic participation. Last

year, I met a friend and a group of his

school mates and they shared their stories

with me on how climate change has affected

them and their contribution in the

mitigation processes. It is therefore, our

responsibility to share information and

knowledge about the needs of people with

disabilities and good practices for inclusion

in situations such as natural and man-made

disasters, emergencies, violence and

conflict, scarcity of resources, and

development efforts, all of which will be

affected by climate change.

29.

Reader Writer

Author voice: “I belong to Kajiado region in Kenya where lion has been a

part of Maasai community. But due to the climate change, lions have run away due to

drying up of shrubs where they used to live. Now the whole world is facing a drastic

change in climate we, the young, are facing challenge of support from government

and other institution, but thanks to all who brought their support to the whole world.

I would like to thank personally COPAL, India for the great inspiration to us and

whole world. COPAL is providing all interesting information related to every possible

field of environment and nature including climate change.”

Kedarnath Disaster: Plan to rehabilitate

D.Dhyani

What to say natural or man-made?

We only know that this all have

jeopardised our mountains, its

resources and people. A very drastic

incident took place on 16th and 17th

June of the year 2013 at Kedarnath

town. Torrential rain, cloud burst

and moraine dammed Chorabari taal

(also known as Gandhi sarovar) just

at the top behind the sacred shrine

Kedarnath, washed away an about 20

km area of Kedarnath, Rambara,

Gaurikund and Sonprayag. All these

areas were situated on the bank of

river Mandakini. On June 16, 2013,

at about 7:30 pm a landslide

occurred just behind the Kedarnath

temple with loud thunder followed

by gushing of huge amount of water

from Chorabari Tal or Gandhi Tal

down Mandakini river and

washed all the constructed buildings

and other structures in its path.

The next day on the 17th of June

at about 6:40 of the morning, water

rushed down river Saraswati and

from Chorabari Tal bringing along

with its flow huge amount of silt,

rocks and boulders. A huge boulder

got stuck behind Kedarnath temple

and save it from the flood's fury. The

upper Kedar valley was the worst

affected by the floods. Thousands of

people were feared, killed and many

thousands of others (mostly

pilgrims) were reported missing in

this disaster. This was the

worst natural calamity in the history


INSIGHT

30.


of Uttarakhand. Due to huge loss of

human and animal lives, loss of

biodiversity and various geographical

terrains including road networks,

the Uttarakhand Government

announced that pilgrimage to

Kedarnath would not be possible for

next two to five years.

Meanwhile, some rehabilitation

work will be conducted by government

and Non Governmental organisations.

Till now they are only working on the

development of pathways and other

concrete constructional work. I hereby

propose a rehabilitation plan for

Kedarnath shrine that is cost effective


31.

Using big boulders and Seabuckthorn

plantation. Seabuckthorn is a wild

edible fruit plant having a wonderful

attribute to bind soils in nature. Plant

has a highly developed root system and

therefore, presents an excellent biotic

choice for holding the soil on a fragile

slope. A five year old Seabuckthorn

plant with a root system and extension

of 4.5 m, taproot with a depth of 2.5m

is a good choice. Due to such huge and

wide spread root system, it makes plant

more resistant towards drought, cold

and other adverse extreme

environmental stress conditions. It has

an extraordinary capacity to grow and

Dr. Deepak currently works on linking conservation with livelihood to answer long

term conservation goals in Himalayas and developing a seed bank of wild edibles,

underutilised lesser known plant species by active support of RSGP, UK. Deepak has

proven record of endurance of working in tough conditions of fragile and undulating

terrains of Central Himalayas, Eastern Himalayas and arid deserts of India. Dr.

Dhyani brings with him vast work experience on issues related to integrated natural

resources management coupled with strong understanding of fields. His extensive

experience on conservation and management of wild natural resources of Central

Himalaya and generating wild resource based livelihood incentives for hill locals is

important. He has more than 50 international and national research contributions.

survive under adverse conditions (-

40 to 40º C). Since 1982 over

300,000 ha of sea buckthorn have

been planted in China.

This figure can be more. One of

the most promising tools to control

land degradation is re-vegetation and

Seabuckthorn is one of the species

which can be used successfully on a

large scale. It can help to control

desertification, conserve land, and

integrate economic exploitation with

ecological rehabilitation. Besides, in

high altitude of Kedarnath its dry

branches can be utilised as fire/ fuel

wood. The fruit berries of plant is

also valuable source of vitamins,

,


minerals anti- oxidants and other

106 bio-substances, hence can be

utilised for making local value added

products.

Ministry of Environment and

Forest (MoEF), Government of

India, is also running a green India

mission programme under NAPCC

under which Seabuckthorn plant has

to be planted in million hectares of

barren/ waste or degraded lands.

Hence, the state government and

other organisation should have to be

given responsibility for

Seabuckthorn plantation in

Kedarnath Valley.

32.

Earth Colours: An initiative to link conservation with livelihood


“Earth colours” is an initiative to promote

the value added products, and skills of locals

dwelling in remote areas of the country.

This is an important goal oriented projects

of COPAL that aims linking conservation

with livelihood to target long term

conservation goals. Have a look buy local,

use local. Here is the link:

www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Colours-Bhoomi-Ke-Rang

INITIATIVE

33.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Earth-Colours-Bhoomi-Ke-Rang

“InvItatIon” FOR NEXT ISSUE OF ECOWHISPER


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ecowhisper, vol 1. issue 1.,june 2014

Documents

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uttarakhand india

india design

whisper society

life copal address

ecowhisper copal publications

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mission of copal