PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Jyotirmath
Forest minister Subodh Uniyal flagged off the Nanda Devi biodiversity monitoring expedition 2026 here on Sunday. Organised by the Nanda Devi National Park administration, this expedition will scientifically document the biodiversity of this Himalayan region, enabling its conservation and long term monitoring. Uniyal said that the Nanda Devi region is a treasure of Himalayan biodiversity providing an important habitat for rare wildlife, flora and ecological systems. Such scientific expeditions not only help in conservation of biodiversity but also help in understanding the impacts of climate change and environmental challenges.
Appreciating the scientists, researchers, Forest department staff, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and State Disaster Response Force personnel in the expedition team, he said that their dedication and research work will prove to be a milestone in the conservation of Himalayan ecology. He especially commended the contribution of Wildlife Institute of India’s former dean GS Rawat.
The minister further said that a proposal will be tabled for holding the Nanda Devi biodiversity monitoring expedition every five years so that more scientists and researchers get a chance to participate in this important undertaking.
The principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden Ranjan Kumar Mishra said that such expeditions will help in further strengthening the State’s biodiversity conservation strategy.
