Big Bird Day in Mukteshwar – A Nature Trail
Mukteshwar landscape harbours immense bird diversity with over 200 species already recorded within the scenic oak-pine forests, orchards and streams. Eight of our trainee guides in Mukteshwar area participated in Big Bird Day 2020 which is an annual event held globally by Cornell Lab of Ornithology to inculcate awareness of birds and their natural habitats. Our trainees used this day both to showcase their newly developed skills in bird identification and to create awareness of the nature trails for tourists in and around the town of Mukteshwar. Using trails of 3-4 km, which had earlier been explored thoroughly, 16 tourists were taken in groups of four on the two different days, adopting alll safety precautions to avoid the spread of Covid. Online response forms were later filled by tourists. Feedback showed that they had enjoyed the experience of birdwatching with the local guides. This successful birding event has given much confidence to the local trainees in organising and implementing nature trails for tourists. (Project name: Promotion of Nature-Linked Tourism as a Rural Livelihood in Uttarakhand)
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A Visit To Renuka Lake To Assess The Current Institutional And Cultural Arrangements For The Management Of Various Aspects Of The Wetland
Date :September ^2nd , 2020

COVID has unprecedented impacts on human lives and it has equally impacted the research fraternity. With restricted mobility and fear of human-transmitted infections, social surveys are hugely affected. In order to resume our field-research at CEDAR, researchers made a visit to Renuka Ji Wetland to conduct personal interviews with the CEO and Front Line Staff of Renukaji Vikas Board. The aim was to assess current institutional and cultural arrangements for the management of various aspects of the wetland.
The project is implemented by People’s Science Institute (PSI) in close cooperation with the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Govt. of India and Wetlands International South Asia (WISA).
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60 Day Nature Observation Challenge Under the “Nature Linked Ecotourism Promotion” in Mukhteshwar Landscape
Date : May – June, 2020

The in-field training and classroom sessions carried out in the first phase of the ongoing project. The training mainly involved with the developing bird sound, plant and butterfly identification, guiding skills and entrepreneurship in rural youth leaders based in Mukhteshwar (Nainital district) and surely has been productive during the COVID-19 situation. The trained youths have now started documenting and identifying bird and butterfly species in their home gardens and adjoining forest areas. We are happy to share the identification done by these trained youths and pictures clicked by them. The training program was organized under our ongoing project “Promotion of Nature linked Ecotourism” with the help of our ornithologist expert K. Ramnarayan (Munsyari).
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Field Activity Performed in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh
Date : February 8 ^th- 20^th, 2020

Circular plots of 100 sq.m area between 700 - 1300 m altitudes in Palampur, were laid down by Mr. Himanshu Chinwan and Mr. Laraib Ahmed with the help of other team members. The activity mainly involved in the species identification, while girth and height measurements of all trees were also documented. Additionally, the numbers of shrub species, tree regeneration and coppices were noted. Soil samples were collected from different plots. The data intends to assess forest carbon storage, ecosystem health and ecosystem services for rural livelihoods.
This is a National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC funded project to understand the success of afforestation programs established between 1985 and 2015 in different altitudinal and ecological zones in Kangra district (Himachal Pradesh).
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Stakeholder Meeting on Ecosystem Services and Livelihoods in Renuka Wetland
Date : 23 January, 2020

On 23rd January 2020, CEDAR team made a reconnaissance visit to Renukaji Lake, a Ramsar Site in Dadahu, Himachal Pradesh to gauge the interdependence and the relationship between the Renuka wetland and the communities. The trip was conducted as part of the project, “Assessment of ecosystem services provided by the Renuka Wetland and the surrounding communities’ dependence on these services for their livelihood and cultural practices” funded by GIZ (Gesellschaftfür Internationale Zusammenarbeit), Germany.
During the visit, a stakeholder meeting of the project was held in Renukaji Wildlife Sanctuary. It was attended by twenty-five stakeholders from the village communities, Renukaji Development Board, Renukaji Wildlife Sanctuary administration, Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, Brahmchari Ashram of Ranuka ji Temple, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Cooperation, and Hotel Associations along with the project partners and funders. Ms. Anvita Pandey of CEDAR presented an introductory session on ecosystem services, and emphasized on the need for ecosystem services valuation and conservation. Further, a group exercise was facilitated by the CEDAR and team from People’s Science Institute, Dehradun, which aimed at listing and prioritization of the direct and indirect benefits as understood by the beneficiaries/stakeholders of Renukaji Lake.
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CEDAR Researcher Explaining About The Field Techniques For Biodiversity Estimation With Respect to Mychorrhizal Sporocarp Density
Date : June 6^thjuly 20^th , 2020

Under the project ‘Planning plantations: past learning, toward triple wins in carbon, biodiversity and livelihoods’ funded by PEER, Dr. Rajesh Thadani and his colleagues were able to complete some tasks. Along with field visit they also prepared a short video to train the other project participants on field techniques for biodiversity estimation with respect to mychorrhizal sporocarp density. In addition to these capacity building and research activities for local stakeholders, they also took part in three internal meetings, among researchers from the University of Minnesota and CEDAR, to discuss and plan how to conduct research activities through distance mode.
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Training Program on Forest Carbon Measurement
Date : January 9^th - 12^th, 2020

CEDAR carried out field training to measure carbon in forest plantations in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh as a part of an ongoing project titled “Planning plantations: past learning, toward triple wins in carbon, biodiversity and livelihoods” being carried out with financial support from National Academy of Sciences (NAS), USA. The field training was provided to the field coordinators from the local community and focused on data collection methods for measurement of aboveground biomass and carbon stock. This involved laying down circular plots of 100 sq.m area within which the species identification, girth and height measurements of all trees were documented. Additionally, the numbers of shrub species, tree regeneration, and coppices were noted. Each plot was marked with GPS and photographs of the plantation were taken from three angles i.e: 1) canopy 2) side view of the plantation and 3) understory. As part of the field training, the participants were divided into two groups each led by one researcher from CEDAR and both teams enumerated the same sample site using the above methods. The collected data was by Dr. Vishal Singh and Dr. Anvita Pandey from CEDAR and common mistakes during field data collection were highlighted.
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Training program for estimating Bee population in Apple orchards
Date : November 27^th - December 8^th, 2019

The second field visit to Mukteshwar was conducted in the months of November and December 2019 as a part of research activity under the project “Apple, Bees, and Livelihoods in Western Himalayas”. Along with CEDAR, the team consisted of researchers from Kalamazoo College, Michigan, USA and FLAME University, Pune. During the visit, pilot research was conducted by the team on apple production, pollinators, and livelihoods in the context of climate change in the Mukteshwar area. The activities consisted of: (1) setting up an experiment to study pollinator diversity and abundance around the farms, (2) community discussions on possible reasons behind the decline in apple production, and (3) taking soil samples to better understand the fertility and productivity of the area. These activities will continue over the next six months with trained farmers and will help us better understand the state of pollinators on the farms, which is essential for optimal horticultural and agricultural production.
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First Residential Training Camp for Nature-Linked Ecotourism Promotion in Mukhteshwar Landscape
Date : December 3^rd–5^th, 2019

Forest-dependent people in the middle Himalayas are facing loss of livelihoods due to declining agricultural productivity, resulting in poverty and increased out-migration. CEDAR's project in rural ecotourism seeks to develop ethical and sustainable livelihoods based on ecotourism, focussing on birdwatching as a recreational activity, in the Mukhteshwar landscape. The project involves in-field training and classroom sessions aimed at developing sound bird, plant and butterfly identification ability, guiding skills, and social entrepreneurship among rural youth. At the first residential camp, 28 youth from Mukhteshwar landscape were invited for interaction sessions aimed at selecting youth with a high probability of completing the two-year training programme as well as initiation of training activities. The training in the Mukhteshwar landscape is being led by the ornithological expert K. Ramnarayan (Munsiari).
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Biogas in Himalaya

CEDAR Team carried out the study under the project "Feasibility Assessment of Biogas in the Himalayas" , funded by Sustain Plus.The team surveyed five districts of Uttarakhand (Nainital, Pithoragarh, Almora, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi) to understand and document theexperiences of biogas users for developing future scale-up strategies.

Bee Census

Procedure of trapping and counting of bees Created by Ann Fraser and team

Rain Water Harvesting Pilot at Mussoorie

Rainwater Harvesting System (RWH) was implemented at Municipal Postgraduate College, Mussoorie under the CAMPS project funded by IDRC, Canada. The main objective of the RWH structure was to store rainwater from the roof of the college which can be further used during the lean season. The total storage capacity of the RWH system is 6000 litres.

Urban Water Insecurity, Mussoorie

This video is based on Urban Water Insecurity in Mussoorie. Explaining how rapid increase in Population and Urbanization in the city is effecting its climatic conditions which leads to the depletion of existing water sources in the city and how its effecting the life of localities.

Bio-Sand Filter

It is important to make science affordable. Recently, CEDAR has successfully installed Bio-Sand Filter in Haldwani at ward no. 22, of Municipal Corporation. This simple looking object is easy to install and operate. This was designed as a low cost water purifier for people who lack access to clean drinking water.

A City with Depleting Water Sources Haldwani (Uttarakhand), CEDAR

This video is based on the water challenges of Haldwani City, Uttrakhand. Video focuses on that How existing water sources in the city are depleting, How due to urbanization and rise in population leads to climate change and increase pressure on ground water. How residents are facing problems of water scarcity in summers, What are reasons and possible solutions to over come this situation.

Social and Environmental Issues

Dr. Vishal Singh
Organised by Catfit

World of Woodpeckers

Dr. Ghazala Shahabuddin
Organised by early bird