Projects
The projects of CEDAR can be grouped under three broad themes - ecology, livelihoods, and policy research. These include
Ongoing Projects
Understanding the impacts of Climate change and Forest Degradation on Carbon stocks and population dynamics in the Oak zone of the Central Himalayas.
The study aims to better understand the functioning of the central Himalayan forest ecosystems and its response to climate change and chronic human disturbance. Estimating the shift in altitudinal zones of important tree species due to changes in climate is important to be able to predict the future composition of forests and their utility to local people. Mountains are a suitable habitat to study the altitudinal shifts of sedentary lifeforms such as trees as a result of climate change. Rapid changes in climatic zones due to altitude make the process of study of a shift in ecological zones less dependent on random factors.
Concurrently, better estimates of carbon sequestration rates, particularly in disturbed zones, will greatly enhance our ability to provide accurate carbon data for the Himalayan forests. This assumes great importance as a result of REDD which is currently being debated in the International arena. Finally, permanent plots have largely not been established for the central Himalaya. Early plots established by the forest department to look into growth rates do not focus adequately on regeneration and the impacts of human disturbance, and this study aims to establish plots that take into cognizance a range of disturbance regimes that typify the Himalayan forests today.
Assessment of the Resource Base of Girardinia diversifolia (Link.) Friis. and Collection Potential in Uttarakhand Himalaya
CEDAR aims to study the resource base of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia). Nettle has a vast number of potential applications which include fibre, protein, medicinal, culinary, biomass, oil, repellent and waterproofing. However, due dispersed and scarce availability of the plant, establishment of nettle fibre parallel to the other popular fibres is hindered. Hence, it is necessary to assess the resource base of the plant and to develop a database of areas where the plant can be found in abundance. The study will also encapsulate the quantitative effect of altitude, aspect and topography on productivity of the plant.
Analysing opportunities for carbon trading and multiple benefits for the Uttarakhand
CEDAR has recieved a grant from Himmotthan society to analyse REDD policy, practice and implementation and disseminate lessons learnt to state and national audience. Our goal is to generate knowledge and identify cross linkages which can help reduce forest emissions in a way that they are effective and feasible and that generate co-benefits such as poverty alleviation.
Completed Projects
Determining the Impact of Fodder Program under IFLDP (Integrated Fodder and Livestock Development Program) on Livelihoods and Forests of Uttarakhand Himalayas
CEDAR has assisted Himmotthan Society to determine the impact of IFLDP on both the lives of local people and on ecosystem recovery. This exercise was based largely on surveys to monitor the impact on women’s drudgery, monitoring of grass production and milk production, and forest sampling to determine growth rates of trees in forests subject to chronic disturbances. While this was a mid-term assessment it yielded valuable information on ways and means to enhance the IFLDP programme in the years to come.
To study the growth and survival of bamboo plantations in different parts Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fiber Development Board has undertaken major plantation programs in emerging as a major source of raw material for several processed products primarily due to its fast growth, wide spread occurrence and its multiple uses.
UBFDB has undertaken plantations in five forest divisions of Uttarakhand. These forest divisions are Dehradun, Terai Central, Terai West, Lansdowne forest division and Nainital forest division. The UBFDB has established extensive nurseries and undertaken plantations in different areas of Uttarakhand. The total plantations carried out by the board since 2006-07 to 2009 is close to15,000 ha in 20 forest divisions The present project aimed to provide scientific assistance to the UBFDB in collecting information essentially on growth parameters and survival rates of bamboo plantations in undertaken by UBFDB in different parts of the state. The study focused on different species of bamboo.
Everything is connected to everything else.
Everything must go somewhere.
Nature knows best.
There is no such thing as a free lunch.
If you don't put something in the ecology, it's not there."
- Barry Commoner's
