(Stakeholder meeting for the village panchayats on the economic evaluation assessment of Miyar Valley held at Shukto and Chimret Villages, Himachal Pradesh from September 15th and 16th, 2023)
Under the aegis of “Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services” stakeholder consultation meetings were carried out on 15th-16th September 2023 at Shukto and Chimret villages in Miyar Valley, Himachal Pradesh. The objective of the training was to evaluate the livelihood-related services of the landscape for the local villagers. The meetings were attended by Mahila Mandals in both locations along with the frontline staff of the Wildlife Ranges (Forest Department). Dayadra Mandal (Junior Technical Officer) Kamal Dalakoti (Technical Officer) and Pradeep Vashisht (Technical Officer) from Wetlands International South Asia facilitated the consultation meetings on the assessment of the status and trends of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Miyar Valley. In the group activity, the livelihood-related services of the landscape like water storage and supply, fodder provision for livestock, tourism, the impact of Flood/Cloud burst and the local forest’s medicinal values were discussed with the participants.
(Technical Officers of Wetlands International South Asia, collecting vegetation and soil samples in the Miyar Valley)
The Wetlands International South Asian team also carried out a field investigation of Miyar Valley and inspected the current state of peatlands, soil and vegetation and the faunal composition.
(Technical Officers of Wetlands International South Asia, collecting vegetation and soil samples in the Miyar Valley)
During the visit, in-situ peat testing at multiple locations using scientific techniques was performed and the soil samples were also collected to test for soil organic carbon in the laboratory. The team also performed quadrat sampling to assess the vegetation of the catchment. The team also collected soil samples from Khajjiar Lake, an exceptional potential peatland in the district of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh.