+

UTTARAKHAND FOREST DEPARTMENT CREATES FIRST-EVER BIO-DIVERSITY GALLERY

Uttarakhand despite having extremely rich biodiversity in all types of flora and fauna, only a few species out of this rich bio depository, are currently known in the public domain. In an order to plug this gap, the Uttarakhand Forest Research department inaugurated the First ever Bio-Diversity gallery in Haldwani. This is after the funding […]

Uttarakhand despite having extremely rich biodiversity in all types of flora and fauna, only a few species out of this rich bio depository, are currently known in the public domain. In an order to plug this gap, the Uttarakhand Forest Research department inaugurated the First ever Bio-Diversity gallery in Haldwani. This is after the funding from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JAICA) that such a rich gallery could be created. Its main aim is to showcase lesser-known aspects of the rich biodiversity of State

While telling about the Gallery IFS Sanjiv Chaturvedi, Chief conservator of Forest, Research Wing, Uttarakhand said, “The main feature of this biodiversity gallery is the depiction of 101 icons of Uttarakhand Biodiversity, showing threat status, and information about habitat and ecological role/uses, about 101 peculiar species of flora and fauna, native to the State.” Chaturvedi further told that It includes the largest lily of the world found in State (Giant Himalayan Lily), the largest species of Rhododendron in the world (Rhododendron Arboreum), the largest venomous snake of the world (King Cobra), highest altitude venomous snake (Himalayan Pit Viper), largest honeybee of the world (Giant Himalayan Honey Bee), largest moth of the world (Atlas moth), largest marten of the world (Yellow-throated marten), largest insectivorous bat of India (Great Himalayan Leaf-nosed bat) as well as other interesting species, naturally found in State – Salty headed parakeet (only species of parakeet family which migrates in winter), Himalayan langur (only primate species found in the Himalayas) and also interesting species of native insectivorous plants, fern, moss, liverwort, grass species and peculiar fauna like Himalayan Marmot (highest elevation dwelling mammal of the world – found at Tibet border), Himalayan Pika, flying squirrel and Yellow-headed tortoise.

Apart from 101 Biodiversity icons, there are 8 other sections – one section displays abandoned nests of various species like Weaver bird, King cobra (only reptile species which makes nests).

Another section displays unique biodiversity products of State – Keedajadi (world’s costliest fungus), red honey (produced by the giant honey bee and one of the costliest honey in the world), and biodiversity products of the State which have been given Geographical Indicator (GI) tag – like butter from Cheura Tree and Ringal handicraft.

One section displays soil diversity of State showing all the eight types of soil found in State from Terai/Bhahar Zone to Alpine areas. While the other section displays the biodiversity of medicinal herbs including extracts from Ashtavarga and Dashmool species. Other sections display the orchid, moss, and lichen bio-diversity of the State. Another section displays agricultural bio-diversity of the State with seeds of local crops that have become rare now and also the seed of prominent forestry species.

Tags: