Publications
Investigating the Intention of Tourists to Travel to the World Heritage Destination: The Mediating Role of Familiarity
Tourists' intention to visit the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is significantly influenced by destination image and preference for local homestays, with familiarity acting as a key mediator. This study, using the S-O-R framework and data from 1,020 Indian respondents, reveals that enhancing familiarity through authentic information can shape positive perceptions of lesser-known destinations. Such an approach could promote sustainable tourism, fostering rural employment while allowing tourists to experience local hospitality. Policymakers are urged to focus on campaigns that highlight the GHNP's unique biodiversity and cultural appeal.
Preservation of Indigenous Practices in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area: The Need for Inclusion of Local Communities
The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Himachal Pradesh, India, faces a critical threat to its indigenous practices due to modernization and economic migration. A study highlights that the depletion of traditional knowledge—such as herbal medicine, beekeeping, dairy production, handicrafts, and sustainable resource management—risks eradicating cultural heritage and environmental resilience. Youth migration to urban areas for higher-paying jobs in hospitality and the preference for mass-produced goods over artisanal crafts are key drivers of this decline. The research emphasizes the need for inclusive conservation efforts that integrate local communities, recognizing their role in preserving both ecological sustainability and cultural identity. It advocates for collaborative knowledge-sharing initiatives to mitigate these losses.
Ethnomedicinal plants used by the local communities of the Great Himalayan National Park, North-Western Himalaya, India
A comprehensive ethno-medicinal study of the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA) identifies 152 medicinal plant species, spanning 62 families and 125 genera, used by local communities to treat gastrointestinal disorders (63 spp.), dermatological problems (59 spp.), and cold/cough (23 spp.). The research, conducted through semi-structured surveys and interviews with traditional Vaidyas across 13 villages, underscores the region's rich biodiversity and its critical role in indigenous healthcare. Urgent conservation efforts—including public awareness, education, and bioprospecting for drug development—are highlighted as essential to sustain these medicinal plant resources amid growing threats.
Forced sympatry? Spatiotemporal interactions of ursids, the Himalayan brown bear and the Asiatic black bear, along a gradient of anthropic disturbances in Western Himalaya
A study in the Western Himalaya reveals that anthropogenic pressures significantly influence the spatiotemporal interactions between two bear species, the Himalayan brown bear and the Asiatic black bear. While both species exhibit spatial overlap (98%) in the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) with high human disturbance, they show spatial separation (93%) in the Bhagirathi basin, where anthropogenic pressures are lower. Temporal segregation was observed in GHNP, whereas similar activity patterns were noted in Bhagirathi. Human activities negatively impacted brown bear presence in alpine habitats of GHNP, highlighting that these bears shift to forested areas due to disturbance. The research underscores the role of human influence on interspecific competition alongside biological factors.
Land Change in Tirthan Valley: The Case of Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
A significant increase in forest cover, rocky/barren land, agriculture/horticulture land, and settlement/built-up areas has been observed in the Tirthan Valley, part of the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA), over the past five decades. Conversely, there has been a notable decrease in pasture/open land, snow cover, and river/water bodies. This study, utilizing multi-temporal LANDSAT satellite images, reveals substantial land use and land cover changes post-protected area status, raising concerns about the sustainability of both natural and man-made ecosystems in the region.
The first report of Pisaura novicia (L. Koch, 1878) (Araneae, Pisauridae) from India
Researchers document the first occurrence of Pisaura novicia, a wolf spider species, in India, specifically within the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area in Himachal Pradesh. This discovery extends the known range of the species from coastal regions to the Western Himalayas, challenging previous assumptions about its distribution across the Indian subcontinent. The study, based on male and female specimens, highlights the ecological significance of this finding, as P. novicia is typically distributed from the Mediterranean to Central Asia. By analyzing these specimens, the researchers contribute new data to the biodiversity record of India, particularly in high-altitude ecosystems.
Back after 40 years: a rare sighting of Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Passeriformes: Fringillidae) in Himachal Pradesh, India
A rare sighting of the Eurasian Siskin (Spinus spinus) in Himachal Pradesh, India, marks the first recorded presence of this species in the state after a 40-year absence and only the second ever record. The male bird was observed in November 2021 at Gushaini, within the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area's ecozone, contrasting with previous low-elevation records from India. This observation significantly contributes to the limited data on the species' migration patterns within the country, highlighting its elusive and sporadic distribution.
Decreasing potential suitable habitat of bumble bees in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation area
A first-of-its-kind study projects that four bumble bee species—Bombus tunicatus, Bombus haemorrhoidalis, Bombus festivus, and Bombus asiaticus—will face heightened extinction risks in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area by 2050 due to shrinking suitable habitat. Researchers used a MaxEnt species distribution model with bioclimatic and biophysical data collected between May 2018 and October 2019, identifying nine bumble bee species in the region. The Jackknife test revealed key variables influencing these projections. This decline threatens vital pollinators for Himalayan agriculture and wild ecosystems.
Diversity of Threatened Plants and Conservation Efforts in Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya
A comprehensive survey of the Great Himalayan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Himachal Pradesh, identifies 37 threatened medicinal plant species across 24 families. These plants, assessed using CAMP (2003) and IUCN (2021) criteria, include valuable economic and medicinal resources at risk of extinction. The study underscores the urgency of conservation efforts, advocating for both in-situ protection within the park and ex-situ cultivation to preserve these biodiversity hotspots. An updated taxonomic list with current threat statuses is provided, offering critical data for global heritage site management.
Faunistic account on the Heterocera of Tirthan Valley, Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area: a preliminary checklist (Insecta: Lepidoptera)
A preliminary checklist identifies 165 species of moths (Heterocera) from the Tirthan Valley, Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, significantly expanding the known diversity of Lepidoptera in the region. The study, conducted between April 2018 and July 2019, highlights the dominance of Erebidae and Geometridae families, each contributing 45 species, followed by Crambidae with 30 species. This adds to the existing record of 385 moth species in the park, marking the first comprehensive documentation of Heterocera diversity in this valley. The research underscores the ecological richness of the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area and provides a foundational dataset for future biodiversity studies.
A preliminary assessment of odonate diversity along the river Tirthan, Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, India with reference to the impact of climate change
A recent study along the Tirthan River in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA) revealed 19 odonate species, including eight dragonflies and 11 damselflies, with 17 recorded for the first time. This significantly increases the known diversity of odonates in GHNPCA to 23 species across 18 genera and eight families. Notably, three species—Indothemis carnatica, Agriocnemis femina, and Argiocnemis rubescens—were documented for the first time in the western Himalayas. The study also observed a marked shift in odonate species composition over 18 years, suggesting that climate change-driven microhabitat alterations may be reshaping local biodiversity. This research highlights the vulnerability of high-altitude ecosystems to climatic shifts and underscores the need for long-term monitoring in protected areas.
An experimental study on bioturbation and dung removal activities of Catharsius molossus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the Greater Himalaya
Research reveals that the dung beetle Catharsius molossus exhibits significant variation in bioturbation and dung removal activities across elevations in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, with both metrics showing a strong linear relationship to elevation. This suggests that higher-altitude habitats may experience reduced nutrient transfer from dung to soil due to diminished beetle activity, potentially impacting surrounding ecosystems. The study employed experimental methods at six distinct elevations to quantify these effects, providing new insights into the ecological role of this species in the Greater Himalaya.
Euonymus Tingens Wall (Celastraceae): A Future Plant with Highly Economic Value in Great Himalayan National Park, Kullu Himachal Pradesh
Euonymus tingens Wall, a temperate dendriform plant from the Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, demonstrates significant economic potential while facing population decline due to local and industrial demand. This species is valued for its timber, dye, fuel, and fodder uses, making it a critical resource for both rural communities and industries. The study highlights the plant's dual role—supporting daily needs while being threatened by overharvesting—a trend that could impact its long-term sustainability in the region.
Population ecology and habitat suitability modelling of Quercus semecarpifolia Sm. in the sub-alpine ecosystem of Great Himalayan National Park, north-western Himalaya, India
A study identifies 145 km² of suitable habitat within the Great Himalayan National Park for the reintroduction of Quercus semecarpifolia, a vital sub-alpine tree species. Using MaxEnt modeling, precipitation in the coldest quarter emerged as the most influential factor (76.7% contribution), with an AUCmean of 0.899 ± 0.02 indicating strong model performance. The research analyzed 37 populations across 4 habitats and 8 aspects, revealing tree densities ranging from 40 to 840 Ind ha⁻¹ and positive correlations between density and soil nitrogen (p ≤ 0.01, r = 0.35). High seedling and sapling counts suggest potential for regeneration, though anthropogenic pressures threaten populations. Recommendations include monitoring, standardized propagation, and conservation efforts in situ and ex situ.
Spatial assemblage and interference competition of introduced Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in a Himalayan river network: Implications for native fish conservation
Introduced Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) exhibit competitive dominance over native Snow Trout (Schizothorax richardsonii) in the Tirthan river network of the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, posing a significant threat to local fish populations. The study found that adult Brown Trout outnumbered native adults by 66.1% to 33.9%, while Snow Trout fingerlings were more abundant (61.9%) than their invasive counterparts (38.1%). Analysis revealed distinct spatial patterns, with non-native trout occupying higher-order streams and natives restricted to lower-order ones. Redundancy analysis identified key environmental variables influencing species distribution, while clustering showed six distinct subgroups based on abundance data. The findings underscore the urgent need for management interventions to prevent further spread of Brown Trout, including enforcement of national policies like 'The Indian Invasive Species Act.'
Altitudinal variation of woody vegetation in Tirthan valley of great Himalayan national park at Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
A study of woody vegetation in the Tirthan Valley of Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh, revealed distinct altitudinal patterns. Tree density increased with elevation, peaking at 816.67 individuals per hectare in the upper zone (2500-3000 m), while shrub density decreased from 2866.67 to 1233.33 individuals per hectare across lower, mid, and upper zones. Dominant tree species varied by elevation: Pinus wallichiana in the lower zone (IVI 58.7), Picea smithiana in the mid zone (IVI 50.43), and Quercus semecarpifolia in the upper zone (IVI 70.79). Shrub dominance shifted from Desmodium triflorum to Indigofera heterantha and finally Rosa sericea. The research employed a stratified sampling approach, with 12 quadrats per elevation zone for trees and sub-quadrats for shrubs, identifying 58 tree and 98 shrub species. This study contributes to understanding altitudinal vegetation dynamics in high-altitude ecosystems.
Species richness patterns of different life-forms along altitudinal gradients in the Great Himalayan National Park, Western Himalaya, India
Species richness in the Great Himalayan National Park peaks at mid-altitudes (1500–3000 m), revealing distinct phytoclimatic zones characterized by dominant life-forms. Cluster analysis identified four unique plant communities across altitudinal gradients, with maximum species composition similarity (43.77%) observed between 3000–3500 m and 3500–4000 m. Asteraceae emerged as the most diverse family (101 taxa), while Potentilla stood out among genera (11 taxa). The study, based on a comprehensive checklist of 945 flowering plant taxa, classified phytoclimates into 'phanero-therophytic' (<1500 m), 'thero-phanerophytic' (1500–3000 m), 'thero-hemicryptophytic' (3000–4000 m), and 'crypto-hemicryptophytic' (>4000 m). This research underscores the park's ecological complexity, offering insights into altitudinal adaptation patterns.
Heritage as Weapon: Contested Geographies of Conservation and Culture in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area, India
Local communities in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA), India, have successfully used cultural heritage as a tool to resist conservation policies that restrict access to sacred sites. By framing their region as the 'Valley of the Gods' and leveraging tourism imagery depicting local deities, these communities have challenged global conservation agendas while channeling opposition through democratic processes. The study highlights how democracy empowers local resistance against new environmental restrictions, illustrating a complex negotiation between global heritage values and local cultural practices. This research underscores the role of heritage in shaping contested geographies, particularly in mountainous regions under pressure from expanding protected areas.
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