Tehri Garhwal Flora and Fauna
Tehri Garhwal Flora and Fauna
Tehri Garhwal Flora and Fauna
Tehri Garhwal Flora and Fauna : Tehri Garhwal district lies in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state in northern India. The district spans over an area of 3,642 sq km and has a population of over 6 lakhs as per the 2011 census. Geographically, the district extends from the upper Himalayan peaks to the Sub-Himalayan foothills, encompassing various altitudinal zones and diverse habitats. This article provides an in-depth account of the rich floral and faunal wealth found in Tehri Garhwal district.
Tehri Garhwal Flora and Fauna : Flora
Tehri Garhwal district harbors a rich diversity of floral species across various altitudinal zones and vegetation types:
Sub-Tropical Zone (up to 1,500m)
The sub-tropical zone in Tehri Garhwal comprises mixed deciduous forests with species like:
- Shorea robusta (Sal)
- Terminalia spp. (Arjuna, Baheda)
- Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham)
- Buchanania lanzan (Chironji)
- Ficus spp. (Banyan, Peepal)
- Mallotus philippensis (Kamala)
The undergrowth includes shrubs like Adhatoda vasica, Murraya koenigii, Woodfordia fruticosa etc.
Temperate Zone (1,500-3,000m)
The temperate forests in Tehri Garhwal district are home to oak, pine and rhododendron species:
- Quercus leucotrichophora (Banj Oak)
- Pinus roxburghii (Chir Pine)
- Rhododendron arboreum (Buransh)
Other trees found here are Myrica esculenta, Lyonia ovalifolia, Ilex dipyrena etc. Unique insectivorous plants like Drosera peltata and Utricularia species also occur in this zone.
Sub-Alpine and Alpine Zone (above 3,000m)
At higher elevations, the vegetation comprises cold-resistant conifers, rhododendrons and herbaceous plants:
- Abies pindrow (Silver Fir)
- Betula utilis (Bhojpatra)
- Rhododendron campanulatum
- Saxifraga, Potentilla, Primula, Pedicularis species
Alpine meadows or ‘bugyals’ found above treeline are rich in medicinal herbs like Picrorhiza kurrooa, Nardostachys grandiflora, Podophyllum hexandrum etc.
Tehri Garhwal Flora and Fauna : Fauna
The faunal diversity of Tehri Garhwal is a mix of Himalayan and peninsular Indian elements. Some noteworthy species found here are:
Mammals
- Asiatic Black Bear
- Barking Deer
- Goral
- Rhesus Macaque
- Yellow-throated Marten
- Himalayan Palm Civet
- Indian Porcupine
Birds
Over 300 bird species inhabit Tehri Garhwal district across various habitats like forests, grasslands and water bodies. Some key species are:
- Lammergeier
- Himalayan Monal
- Koklass Pheasant
- Kalij Pheasant
- Eurasian Eagle Owl
- Great Barbet
- White-crested Laughingthrush
Reptiles
Reptiles found in the region include:
- Common Krait
- Indian Rat Snake
- Himalayan Pit Viper
- High Altitude Lizard
Butterflies
Butterfly diversity is also high, with species like Common Yellow Swallowtail, Spangle, Map Butterfly etc. The Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve are global hotspots of butterfly diversity.
Protected Areas
To conserve the rich floral and faunal wealth, Tehri Garhwal district has several protected areas:
- Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve: Home to over 300 bird species and many rare mammals. Designated as a World Heritage Site.
- Valley of Flowers National Park: Shelters endangered mammals like Snow Leopard and Musk Deer. Also has over 500 flower species.
- Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary: Protects temperate forest and alpine meadow ecosystems. Supports diverse animal and birdlife.
- Asan Conservation Reserve: Conserves a portion of the Asan river and its riparian vegetation.
In addition, Van Panchayats (Forest Councils) help protect smaller community-managed forests across Tehri Garhwal.
Threats and Conservation
Major threats to wildlife in Tehri Garhwal district are:
- Habitat loss due to roads, dams, tourism infrastructure
- Poaching and illegal wildlife trade
- Overgrazing and forest fires
- Climate change impacts
Key conservation efforts undertaken are:
- Eco-development: Providing alternative livelihoods to local communities to reduce dependency on forests
- Anti-poaching camps: Curtailing illegal hunting and wildlife trade
- Afforestation drives: Expanding forest cover through plantations
- Joint Forest Management: Involving villagers in protecting and managing adjoining forests
Conclusion to Tehri Garhwal Flora and Fauna
Tehri Garhwal Flora and Fauna, Tehri Garhwal district is endowed with an amazing diversity of floral and faunal elements across its varied landscapes. While protected areas secure representative ecosystems, continued conservation efforts are needed to safeguard the region’s ecological integrity in the face of mounting anthropogenic pressures. The sustainability of the region’s unique biodiversity heritage demands the collective stewardship of local communities, government agencies and conservation groups.
