On May 17, 2023 Wetlands International South Asia conducted an Expert Consultation workshop at Hotel Royale Retreat, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh with the active support of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. The objectives of the workshop were to deliver the economic valuation and assessment techniques for major functions of the Chandertal landscape, one of the three pilot study sites under the project and seeks comments, suggestions and recommendations from the experts.
The workshop commenced with an elaborate description of the SECURE Himalaya project in Himachal Pradesh by Mr Anil Thakur, IFS, Addl. PCCF (Wildlife), Himachal Pradesh Forest Department with special reference to the study sites, proposed methodology and deliverables under the ongoing project titled, “Assessment of economic values of biodiversity and ecosystem services in SECURE Himalaya Project Landscape in Himachal Pradesh”.
Harsh Ganapathi, Senior Technical Officer – Ecohydrology, Arghya Chakrabarty, Technical Officer – Biodiversity, and Dayadra Mandal, Junior Technical Officer-Water Management presented the assessment techniques and economic valuation of major functions of the Chandratal landscape. The presentation included discussions and drew significant insights on the economic valuation of water storage and supply, fodder, flood buffering, ecosystem carbon stock, and tourism and recreation respectively.
(Unveiling the “Economic valuation of landscape functions of Chandertal” report*)
A total of 15 participants from the State Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh State Wetland Authority and UNDP attended the workshop and took a keen interest and shared their outlook on the valuation techniques. The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks and a group photo.
(Participants in the expert consultation workshop held at Shimla)
In the coming months, field visits will be undertaken to the landscape for further surveys and assessments along with producing similar valuation reports for the landscape functions in Miyar Valley and Sechu Tuan Nalla Wildlife Sanctuary.