Protected area network in Indian Himalayan region: Need for recognizing values of low profile protected areas

Abstract

In the aftermath of Convention on Biological Diversity and Caracas Congress on Parks (1992), maintenance and extension of the network of protected areas (PAs) has received impetus across the globe. India has also responded positively in this context. The network of legally designated PAs and other conservation sites (CSs) in India comprise 614 units covering over 7.3% of the total geographical area. The Indian Himalayan region (IHR), on account of richness and uniqueness of biodiversity elements, is represented fairly well (15 national parks and 59 sanctuaries covering 9.6% of the geographical area) within the PA network of India. The paper reviews the existing state of PAs in the IHR and identifies various gaps therein. It highlights the existing disparity in ranking the importance of PAs, wherein values of a few of them are often over-emphasized while, several others with a relatively higher stake of biodiversity remain unnoticed. This trend adversely affects the maintenance of biodiversity elements which deserve immediate attention. The potentials of such low profile PAs in IHR are discussed through a detailed review of biophysical values of hitherto lesser known PA - Askot Wildlife Sanctuary - in Kumaun, West Himalaya. The paper calls for an introspection by all concerned and recommends that efforts are urgently needed for a thorough evaluation of existing PAs in the IHR to redefine priorities on the basis of their biodiversity attributes.