Research in uttarakhand

Introduction

Research is the backbone of any sphere of life sciences. It forms the basis for future growth. Forestry consists of principles and practices utilized in the management and development of forests aimed at society's well-being. The planning of forestry should ideally combine the scientific knowledge, information and technology as well as the local knowledge of the site and utilization (i.e. all phase from research to utilization of the endproduct) to achieve the highest possible social, environmental and economic benefits. Given the central role of forestry in the state, forestry research is likely to play more determinative role in future.

The vision of Research Wing of Uttarakhand Forest Department is to function as nodal centre of research in forestry and bio-diversity and to provide scientific support to the state and its peoples on matters related to forestry, with particular emphasis on conservation, sustainable utilization and scientific management of natural resources. The wing conducts multidisciplinary research, provides technical advice to practical problems. It also disseminates research findings through training, education, seminars, workshops, technical bulletins, series of pamphlets, brochures and Journals.

Brief History

• Forestry research in India was initiated on a formal basis in 1906 with the establishment of Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun.
• In Uttar Pradesh, forestry research started in a formal way with the appointment of the State Silviculturist, Research and Development in 1918.
• Silviculture Division, Hill Region, U.P. was established with headquarters at Nainital in 1961. Again in 1964, Silviculture Division for Vindhyan Region was created with headquarters at Kanpur
• First State Research laboratory was established at Kanpur in 1970 (Renamed as State Forestry Research Institute in 1993).
• After the formation of Uttarakhand, Silviculture Division, Sal region was created in 2000 with headquarters at Haldwani. Silviculture Division, Hill Region at continues Nainital. Both the divisions are under the administrative control of Conservator of Forests, Research Circle, Haldwani.
• Research Advisory Group (RAG) was constituted for providing direction to research activities in 2004. It was again reconstituted in 2010 under the chairmanship of PCCF Uttarakhand
• In 2009, a new post of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Research, Training and Management, Haldwani was created.
• In 2016, a new post of Deputy Conservator of Forest, Research, Haldwani was created.

Research wing of Uttarakhand Forest Department has conserved total 1823 species through in situ and ex situ conservation measures. Out of these, 1748 species have been identified and 75 are yet to be identified. A total 12 of species among these are critically endangered, 23 species are endangered; 14 species are venerable and 13 are near threatened as per IUCN categorization; while 1 species is endangered, 3 species are vulnerable, and 4 species are rare as per ENVIS; and 5 are critically endangered, 8 are endangered, 5 are vulnerable as per BSI; 13 species are threatened as per Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board list and 1 species is critically endangered, 2 species are endangered, 4 species are vulnerable and 3 species are rare as per Indian Biodiversity Portal. Further, out of 1823 total conserved species, 61 species are endemic, of which 35 are near endemic, 7 species are endemic to Uttarakhand, and 10 are endemic to Indian Himalayan Region and 9 species are endemic to India. A total of 518 species conserved have medicinal properties.