Himalayan forests are crucial to life in this region providing direct ecosystem services like fuel, fodder and indirect services like water storage and soil stabilisation. CEDAR is actively researching the topics of human disturbance, the impact of climate change and more sustainable management practices in Himalayan forests. On a macro scale, our interests lie in understanding the impacts of climate change on mountain ecosystems. To obtain better spatial and temporal data, we have been establishing permanent plots across disturbance and altitudinal gradients in the Western Himalayan region. Recently, we have been engaged in assessing the biomass, carbon stocks and biodiversity status of forest plantations in different altitudinal zones of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. We also realize that the relationship between forests and water is a critical issue and aim to develop better understanding of the interactions between forests/trees and water, for raising awareness and capacity building in forest hydrology, and for embedding this knowledge and the research findings in policies.

Ongoing Projects

Creating Climate-Resilient Communities in Mid-Hills: Interventions Towards Forest, Water & Livelihood Security

Planning Plantations: Past Learning, Toward Triple Wins in Carbon, Biodiversity and Livelihoods Water & Livelihood

Review of Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) with Reference to Central India

Completed Projects

Feasibility Assessment of Biogas and Evaluating other Alternate Energy Sources in the Mid Mountainous Region of Uttarakhand

Monitoring of Biomass Stocks and Forest Community Structures in Temperate Zone of Western Himalaya

Understanding the Impacts of Climate Change and Forest Degradation on Carbon Stocks and Population Dynamics in the Oak Zone of the Central Himalayas

Determining the Impact of Fodder Program Under IFLDP (Integrated Fodder and Livestock Development Program) on Livelihoods and Forests of Uttarakhand Himalayas

To Study the Growth and Survival of Bamboo Plantations in Different Parts of Uttarakhand

Analysing Opportunities for Carbon Trading and Multiple Benefits for the Uttarakhand