Feasibility Assessment of Biogas and Evaluating other Alternate Energy Sources in the Mid Mountainous Region of Uttarakhand
Funding Agency: Sustain Plus
Duration: 6 Months
Project Lead: Dr. Vishal Singh
Field Site: Uttarakhand
Lack of access to modern energy is a pertinent challenge for rural Himalayan communities. There is a continued dependence on firewood for energy requirements. Biogas as an alternative energy solution in Uttarakhand was introduced in 1987. Despite having ample benefits and opportunities, biogas has not been accepted as a mainstream solution.
The project focused feasibility assessment of biogas energy solution in Uttarakhand between 500-meter asl and 1500 masl, scattered across five districts (Nainital, Pithoragarh, Almora, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi) of Kumaon and Garhwal Himalaya. 94 user surveys were
conducted which explored opportunities, risks, and challenges.
Simultaneously, a rapid market appraisal to study the willingness to adopt household biogas within a group of 150 people concentrated in Almora and Nainital district. The methodology used was mixed research methods under which non-purposive sampling was undertaken. The site and beneficiary selection were based on consultations with long-term implementing agencies in Uttarakhand.
Our findings suggest that Deen Bandhu Model is the most abundant in the hills while the major load for operation and maintenance is with women of the household. Major requirements for biogas are dung and water which when mixed in a ratio, forms slurry. The knowledge of slurry management is lacking among the users and water remains a major constraint in water-scarce regions. Winter performance is dissatisfactory in the higher as well as lower elevations. The most influential factor for adoption is outreach and selection by the NGOs working in the region. The results show that biogas usage has reduced dependence on firewood and LPG in summers which also reflects savings in terms of energy and money, but the winter’s firewood pattern has shown no change. On the socio-cultural parameters, the interlinking of soak pits with the digesters was heavily discouraged by the users due to taboo of human excreta. In terms of digestate, the slurry is considered important but has no major impacts and usage for the farm. The market-related component found that the willing users are aware of the technique but are hesitant to pay for the service. Medium-sized plant and 50% subsidy are most preferred among the willing non-users. The predictor for size choice is wealth and household size, whereas landholding (wealth) determines the subsidy amount.
Figure 1 Package 1: Biogas Plant + Slurry management (Digestate/Bio-fertilizer) + Feedstock Supplies
The assessment of the market has led to three pain points that discourage adoption of biogas. One, high up-front cost and low performance in winters; two, the non-commercial value of a household biogas plant, and three, false advertisements and failure to address after-sales services. The study recommends that proper knowledge transfer, creation of a revenue-generating model and scope of benefits from the plant and quality maintenance by service providers are the entry points. A 12-month phase-out strategy has been devised for a scale-up strategy of biogas services.
Further recommendation for better understanding of the market-based model incorporates; tapping the potential of social enterprise, and an in-depth study of the economic valuation and market-based study to understand the value chain.
Assessment of Ecosystem Services Provided by The Renuka Wetland and The Surrounding Communities Dependence on these Services for Their Livelihood and Cultural Practices
Funding Agency: People Science Institute, Dehradun (Commissioned by GIZ)
Duration: 1 year
Project Lead: Dr. Vishal Singh
Field Site: Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh
Ecosystem Services in a wetland setting are of great importance to the nearby communities, in terms of access to resources and services directly. The project was led by the People’s Science Institute (PSI) in collaboration with the Centre for Ecology Development and Research (CEDAR). The project aimed at understanding the interdependence and relationship between the Renuka wetland and the related stakeholders. The broad areas of study remained interlinkages between the wetland, communities and related stakeholders, livelihood dependence, perceptions about change in the landscape, and experienced challenges after the declarations of Sanctuary, Ramsar site, and a place of interest for the international fair.
Renuka wetland is a natural lake located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh, 672 m above the mean sea level. The geographical location of Renuka Ji is Latitude 30°36′36″N, Longitude 77°27′30″E. CEDAR’s research entailed stakeholder mapping and consultations as part of the qualitative research methods. The stakeholders for Renuka wetland ecosystem assessment study was identified based on their responsibility for the lake and sanctuary, dependency, influence, religious and cultural perspective.
Our findings reflect a set of results that are crucial to the sustainable development of Renukaji wetland. We found that high priorities are Ecosystem Services are recreation, tourism and air quality which is also equivalent to visually identifying less pollution in the air, and religious belief. The other indirect services such as water quality, carbon reserve, habitat and regulating services had low scores. Also, the relationships among stakeholders reflected mainly negative interactions among the stakeholders or none. The major challenges highlighted from the study are sanitation issues, lack of waste management measures, siltation in the lake and rising levels of eutrophication in the wetland due to degraded water quality. At a community level, the most prominent challenge was inaccessibility to fuelwood and fodder, and lack of employment opportunities in their own landscape.
The study concludes with a thematic demarcation of issues and categorical recommendations such as a) further research for baseline information on water quality, soil erosion, drivers and impact of climate change, b) regulatory frameworks on resource use and carrying capacity of the wetland, c) the institutional framework for an interlinked body of management, d) action plan and requirements for implementations and e) to have a monitoring mechanism in place for assessing the preservation goals.
Apples, Bees and Livelihoods in the Western Himalayas
Funding Agency: Kalamazoo College, Michigan, U.S.A
Duration: 1 Year
Project Lead: Dr. Vishal Singh
Field Site: Mukteshwar
Climate change is having immediate and profound impacts on ecosystems and livelihoods in the Himalayas. In the Nainital area of the Western Himalayas, where many communities have long derived their livelihoods from growing fruits, and particularly apples, recent declines in apple production have been linked to climatic changes such as less reliable precipitation and reduced chilling hours. Apples are also a pollinator dependent crop; as such they are particularly vulnerable given the well-documented impacts of climate change on pollinator diversity and abundance. Growers have seen changes in bloom time, fruit set, and crop yield, all of which are potentially connected with pollinator decline.
In 2018-19, approximately 25,700 hectares of land was under apple cultivation, yielding about 58,000 tons of apples. There are an estimated 33,500 apple growers in the state. Preliminary research by our project team suggests that apple producers in Uttarakhand, compared to their counterparts in Himachal Pradesh, receive very little (if any) technical advice from government and university-based extension services. In addition, growers have no way of tracking changes in climatic factors, pollinator activity, and market conditions that could help build resilience into their orchard management decisions. Unlike Himachal, Uttarakhand is a nascent state, where industry has been prioritized over agriculture.
The overarching goal of this project was to determine the socio-economic and ecological patterns, causes, and consequences of shifts in horticultural practices that can help inform the development of sustainable and climate-resilient socio-economic strategies for vulnerable communities in the Western Himalayas.
Our findings suggest that there is a decline in apple productivity and the varieties of apples that were grown in the region. The main reason was lack of training and government subsidiaries to the farmers. The profit from the yield was minimal whereas shift in growing more vegetables has shown better profits.
The preliminary study has led to developing a detailed three year project which has been submitted to NSF for funding. A video on bee census has been made to help farmers identify the pollinators visiting their orchards.
Conducting Socio - Economic and Livelihood Assessment Surveys of Pastoralists of Himachal Pradesh
Funding Agency: Forest Department, Himachal Pradesh
Duration:5 months
Project Lead: Dr. Vishal Singh
Field Site: Himachal Pradesh
The study created a repository of primary data collection of 32 pastorals, which covered sketch mapping, seasonal migratory trends, process framework and pilot activities for sustainable pastoralism management. Along with the scientific data related to livestock sustainability, the study also brought out the livelihood dependence of pastoralism of the hill communities residing in Himachal Pradesh (HP). The socio-economic and livelihood survey assessment of the communities was fed into GIS-based thematic maps by HP Forest Department GIS Lab to support forest management. Another important outcome was to document the migration stories of the communities and the associated challenges of the same. The oral
documentaries of the migrated and left out families helped inform policies and devise responses for resource use planning and local adaptiveness of the communities under climate change impacts. The project also developed capacities of the community and related stakeholders on minimizing social conflicts and managing externalities during the migration.
Himalayan Adaptation, Water and Resilience (HI-AWARE) Research on Glacier and Snowpack Dependent River Basins for Improving Livelihoods
Funding Agency: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
Duration: 3 Years
Project Lead: Dr. Vishal Singh
Field Site: Upper Ganga Basin
HI-AWARE was one of the four consortia of the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA), which conducted research and pilot interventions, capacity building and policy engagement on climate resilience and adaptation in the mountains and flood plains of the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river basins. HI-AWARE was aimed at developing climate change adaptation approaches and increasing the resilience of the poorest and most vulnerable women, men, and children in the mountains and plains of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region.
CEDAR was assigned a role of strategic partner for the Upper Ganga Basin (UGB) region to work with the project researchers to organize stakeholder’s workshops
at grassroots level as well as policy level. We were involved in planning and preparation of gender vulnerability research and facilitated in carrying out research on urban water management and springsheds in Mussoorie and migration research at Devprayag. CEDAR researchers contributed to the Mahila Kisan Adhikar Manch, a consultation between women farmers and key State authorities for land rights and agricultural support. Through the Hi-AWARE project, we also engaged in active advocacy for policy and decision making processes which were incorporated in Niti Ayog Spring Rejuvenation plan and Uttarakhand State Action Plan for Climate Change.
Monitoring of Biomass Stocks and Forest Community Structures in Temperate Zone of Western Himalaya
Funding Agency: Ministry of Environment and Forest, Climate Change (MoEF,CC) Goverment of India
Duration: 3 Years
Project Lead: Dr. Rajesh Thadani
Field Site: Mukteshwar, Nainital District
The project aimed at acquiring accurate data on biomass and carbon sequestration rates, while developing a method to rapidly access the same using Leaf Area Index (LAI) in the cool temperate zone of western Himalayan region and its response to climate change. The study tried to understand the shift in the altitudinal belt of important tree species due to changes in climatic regimes and future composition of the forests.
Two transects between an altitude of 1600m and 2400m were identified in Mukteshwar and Kilbury forest areas in the Nainital district. 48 permanent plots were established under the project in two transects (i.e. 3 plots in each transect within each altitudinal rise of 100m). CEDAR collected data for phyto-sociological components and biomass stock estimation, and assessed structure and population dynamics. Repeated biomass measurements were taken for monitoring biomass stocks in each species within the altitudinal gradient. For
deducing the relationship between carbon sequestration and Leaf Area Index (LAI), canopy structure and LAI measurements were noted each year. We also used standard and widely accepted methods and protocols to study soil parameters and estimate soil carbon and nutrient levels at different altitudes and in each forest type. The plots are instrumental in maintaining a baseline data as well as long-term monitoring of the forests.
Effects of Land Use Change and Fragmentation on Himalayan Bird Communities in Banj Oak Forests of Kumaon, Uttarakhand
Funding Agency: Department of Science and Technology (DST) Goverment of India
Duration: 3 Years
Project Lead: Dr. Ghazala Sahabuddin
Field Site: Kumaon Region, Uttarakhnad
The banj oak ( Quercus leucotrichophora ) forests of the Western Himalayas (1500-2500 m a.s.l.) form a biologically diverse region with unique floral and faunal communities. These forests, internationally classified as ‘Western Himalayan Temperate Forest’, have been declared an eco-region of high conservation importance by WWF - International and Birdlife International. However, this forest type also sustains considerable pressure caused by rural development and is undergoing rapid degradation due to biomass extraction, pine ingression, horticulture, tourism development, construction and road - widening. Issues of biodiversity loss, including local extinctions of vulnerable bird species, have become prominent due to such large-scale changes. Under this project, we have comprehensively evaluated the ecological impacts of forest modification,
transformation and fragmentation on the native forest bird communities through intensive field surveys and landscape-level modelling, and ultimately provided recommendations for conservation planning in this bio-diverse region.
Extinction Vulnerability of Bird Communities Along Land Use and Management Gradients: A Comparative Approach in the Forests of Northeast and Central Himalayan Regions of India.
Funding Agency: SCIENCE & ENGINEERING RESEARCH BOARD (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
Duration: 3 Years
Project Lead: Dr. Rajkamal Goswami
Field Site: Kumaon Region, Uttarakhand
Landuse change is one of the biggest threats to tropical biodiversity. Driven by logging, grazing, fuelwood collection, mining and shifting cultivation, such changes accelerate species extinction rates. The intensity and extent of such activities are often determined by the conservation efficacy and priorities of different forest management systems and in turn impacts abundance and composition of faunal communities. Globally and in India, a wide variability occurs in management systems of both state and community forest and range from protected to intensive-use.
The project investigated the linkages between different forest-management systems and land-use change within and across the Kumaon Central Himalaya and Khasi Jaintia Hills on bird communities. The sites are ‘biodiversity hotspots’ and ‘Important Bird Areas’. Both have a long history of indigenous forest protection and management systems which are well documented from human and forest ecology perspective. However, in the recent past, both these sites have seen both insidious and rapid land use changes.
CEDAR tried to understand the effects of the changes on the old native forests and their associated faunal assemblages. We also mapped the impact of the different forest management approaches on animal communities and their habitats.
Climate Adaptive and Water Management Practices for Cities in South Asia (CAMPS)
Funding Agency: International Development Research Centre (IDRC )
Duration: 3 Years
Project Lead: Dr. Vishal Singh
Field Site: Haldwani, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
The Climate Adaptive and Water Management Practices and Strategies for Cities in South Asia project were carried out in two countries India and Nepal in which four cities were selected for the study (Haldwani & Mussoorie in India and Dharan & Dhulikhel in Nepal). The project was intended to address the water insecurity in the Mussoorie and Haldwani cities, Uttarakhand. It largely aimed at developing climate adaptive and equitable water management practices and strategies (CAEWMPS). The primary focus was given to institutional building and transformation, informed by a diagnostic analysis of social, political and biophysical dimensions of the urban water systems.
The project analyzed existing water management systems of Mussoorie and Haldwani in relation to city-level planning and governance, socio-economic trends of urbanization and day to day water use practices. CAEWMPS pilot was developed.
An institutional arrangement between Jal Sansthan and Municipal Post-graduate College Mussoorie was made which resulted in the construction of a Rainwater Harvesting structure of 6000L capacity in the college. For Haldwani, a detailed study of the Dholakbasti’s slum population was made and two bio-sand filters were installed for addressing challenges related to water quality as well as quantity. The project organized multi-stakeholder consultations at both the project sites through Water forum meetings. Community engagement was done through institutions like Woodstalk School, Jal Sansthan Mussoorie, community radio stations, Pathfinder school, Nagar Nigam Haldwani, etc. The project also helped publish 6 research papers in national and international journals, policy briefs, working paper series and various knowledge products.
Mainstreaming the Role of Ecosystem Services in Water Supply of Nainital
Funding Agency: International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)
Duration: 9 Months
Project Lead: Dr. Vishal Singh
Field Site: Nainital City, Uttarakhand
Nainital is a famous tourist town in Uttarakhand with its beauty of Nainital Lake and winsome oak and pine forest. Over time the population of Nainital city has increased drastically and now the city experiences an average influx of 7.5 lakh tourists annually. With the growing population and tourist influx, there has been growing demand for infrastructure which has led to unplanned construction of homes, hotels, guest houses, shops etc. near the lake and in Sukhatal which is a critical recharge zone. CEDAR undertook a project to capture ecosystem services issues related to the sustainability of water supply and the lake.The project studied the hydrogeology of the watershed catchment and helped in identifying a total of 13 recharge zones feeding the Nainital Lake. Detailed water balance of the lake and land use-land cover maps were made to identify the different land use and vegetation type of the Nainital town. The project studied the hydrogeology of the watershed catchment and helped in identifying a total of 13
recharge zones feeding the Nainital Lake. Detailed water balance of the lake and land use-land cover maps were made to identify the different land use and vegetation type of the Nainital town. A total of 124 observations were identified in the watershed with 69 different species of birds. Along with this, ecologically sustainable water management for the city and improvement of the present urban water system was carried out by cleaning 10 drains. The project collaborated with the local stakeholders and citizens through various stakeholder meetings, a Barefoot march for Nainital lake, cricket tournament, and other citizen consultations for the conservation of the lake and creating better management practices for sustainable water use and environmental well being.
Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change and Forest Degradation on Carbon Stocks and Population Dynamics in the Oak Zone of the Central Himalayas
Funding Agency: Department of Science and Technology (DST)
Duration: 3 Years
Project Lead: Dr. Rajesh Thadani
Field Site: Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand
Online Database Under The DST Project
(No SERB/F/2210/2013-14)
The study was carried out near Mukteshwar town, in Ramgarh and Dhari block of Nainital district at an elevation between 1700-2200m. It aimed to understand the functioning of the central Himalayan forest ecosystems and its response to climate change and chronic human disturbance by establishing 100 circular plots of 400 m2 (radius 11.29m) of different disturbance categories. Under this, 40 plots were used for long term monitoring, and each tree in these plots was marked and recorded. Concurrently, better estimates of carbon sequestration rates, particularly in disturbed zones, were recorded for accurate carbon data for the Himalayan forests.
The study concluded high variability in regeneration in the case of Tilonj Oak even in the undisturbed plots. Contrary to earlier literature which indicates that Chir pine is taking over on oak forest. Chir pine showed lower than expected regeneration.
Also, Banj Oak tree growing in the moderately disturbed forest showed both max growth rate as well as highest allocation to branches and leaves. Along with this, permanent plots established focussed adequately on regeneration and impact of human disturbance in the Central Himalayas.
The Political Economy of Water Security, Ecosystem Services and Livelihoods in the Western Himalayas
Funding Agency: Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA)
Duration: 3 Years
Project Lead: Mr. Chetan Agarwal & Dr. Rajesh Thadani
Field Site: Nainital City, Uttarakhand
The study explored the nature of the dependence of local communities (especially the rural and urban poor) on hydrological flows and other ecosystem services in micro catchments in montane environments in low-income regions in South Asia. In particular, the water security needs of populations living in small towns in these hill and mountain regions, and the extent to which these are met from hydrological flows from surrounding catchments and watersheds.
Basically, the project identified the sources of water supply in low income regions, addressing current knowledge, condition of these sources and threats to its sustainability, categorizing critical water zones in the surroundings of watersheds and assessment of ecosystem services linked from these critical water zones. Moreover, the dependency of stakeholders was analysed based on their current livelihood strategies, understanding the synergies and trade-offs.
Determining the Impact of Fodder Program under IFLDP (Integrated Fodder and Livestock Development Program) on Livelihoods and Forests of Uttarakhand Himalayas
Funding Agency: Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT)
Duration: 1 Year
Project Lead: Dr. Vishal Singh
Field Site: Uttarakhand
CEDAR had assisted Himmotthan Society for determining the impact of IFLDP on both the lives of local people and on ecosystem recovery. The exercises conducted were largely based on surveys to monitor the impact on women’s drudgery, monitoring of grass and milk production, and forest sampling and for evaluating growth rates of trees in forests to be focused on its chronic disturbances.
The objective of study was to promote rural livelihood and enhance income through environmentally sustainable, integrated livestock programme in February, 2008. The project covered 83 villages in 15 project areas, spread over six hill district of Uttarakhand in collaboration with different governmental non-governmental organizations. The project has taken an integrated approach to sequentially strengthen all components of the livestock value chain in terms of feed, breed institution and enterprise promotion to make livestock a viable option.
The project has not only promoted feed resources in common and private lands but also formed and strengthen the community institutions with several capacity building programmes such as formation of user groups/LPGs micro-dairy, community meetings, workshop and training programmes at regular intervals.
To Study the Growth and Survival of Bamboo Plantations in Different Parts of Uttarakhand
Funding Agency: Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fiber Development Board (UBFDB)
Duration: 6 Months
Project Lead: Dr. Vishal Singh
Field Site: Five Forest Divisions of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fiber Development Board (UBFDB) had commenced major plantation programs as a source of raw material for several processed products primarily due to its fast growth, widespread occurrence, and its multiple uses. UBFDB had undertaken plantations in five forest divisions of Uttarakhand. These forest divisions were Dehradun, Terai Central, Terai West, Lansdowne forest division and Nainital forest division. In the process, UBFDB had established extensive nurseries and initiated plantations in different areas of Uttarakhand. The total plantations carried out by the board from 2006-07 to 2009 was close to 15,000 ha in 20 forest divisions. The project aim was to provide scientific assistance to the UBFDB for collecting information based on the growth, survival and productivity of bamboo plantations as well as understanding the impact of altitudinal variations among these parameters.
