Initiative for orchids conservation and their indicator pollination for assessing mountain ecosystem health in Mandakini catchment, Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India
Abstract ID: 3.8832 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA
Ayushi Negi (0)
Pant, Manu (1), Uniyal, V.P. (1)
Ayushi Negi (1)
Pant, Manu (1), Uniyal, V.P. (1)
1
(1) Graphic Era Deemed to be University, 248002
The Mandakini Catchment region of Uttarakhand, located in the Western Himalaya, is a biodiversity hotspot with a rich diversity of orchid species. Orchids play a crucial ecological role and serve as bio-indicators of environmental health. However, their populations are experiencing a significant decline due to habitat destruction, climate change, over-exploitation, forest fires and anthropogenic pressures. Our work emphasized on orchid conservation and the role of their pollinators as key indicators in assessing mountain ecosystem health. Pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies exhibit a symbiotic relationship with orchids, influencing their reproductive health and overall population dynamics. Changes in pollinator diversity directly reflect alterations in habitat quality and ecosystem stability. Thus, monitoring pollinator populations provided us valuable insights into environmental changes and conservation priorities. The degradation of forested landscapes, lack of sustainable agricultural practices, and increased tourism pressures have disrupted these fragile interactions, leading to reduced orchid regeneration and ecosystem imbalance. Engaging local communities in our conservation efforts was pivotal for the sustainability of this fragile ecosystem. Traditional knowledge, coupled with scientific interventions, facilitated habitat restoration and promoted sustainable practices. Community-led conservation initiatives, such as orchid farming, habitat protection, and Agritourism, helped mitigate anthropogenic pressures while ensuring economic benefits for local stakeholders. Our study underscores the importance of orchid conservation in maintaining ecological equilibrium and proposes pollinator-based assessment models to gauge ecosystem health. Implementing targeted conservation strategies, including habitat preservation, pollinator protection, and community participation, significantly contributed to the resilience of Western Himalayan ecosystem in the Mandakini Catchment region. Strengthening conservation policies and fostering awareness among local stakeholders was instrumental in safeguarding the orchid biodiversity of this ecologically sensitive area.
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