PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Jyotirmath
The decadal Nanda Devi Biomonitoring expedition 2026 concluded successfully on Sunday. The expedition team members conducted detailed study of the biodiversity, tree line pattern, glaciers and moraines in the high altitude Himalayan region as part of the expedition which was flagged off on June 7. The team comprising members from the Wildlife Institute of India, GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Forest department personnel and technical experts along with jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and State Disaster Response Force used remote sensing, GIS and OSL to study the biodiversity and collect data during the expedition. Starting from Lata village in Chamoli district, the team travelled through
Lalakhark, Dharasi, Dibrugeta, Diyodi, Bhitartoli, Ramni, Bhujgadh and Patalkhan to reach Nanda Devi base camp at Sarsopatal. The team studied various tree species including Bhojpatra, fir, rhododendron and maple in addition to the habitat of various rare and endangered wildlife species. Important data was also collected to ascertain the impact of climate change of the bugyals (high altitude meadows) located between the tree line and snow line.
The team also sighted Himalayan Tahr, Bharal, musk deer, Himalayan bear, Siberian weasel and Pika in addition to signs of the presence of the snow leopard, Himalayan red fox, Serow and the Himalayan marten. More than 50 camera traps were installed at various locations to monitor the rare wildlife. Among the avian fauna, the team saw the State bird Himalayan Monal, snow cock, snow partridge, golden eagle and lammergeier in addition to various butterflies including the rare blue Apollo butterfly and yellow swallowtail. Due to the absence of human interference in the Nanda Devi national park for the past four decades, environmental health indicators like lichen and moss were also found in abundance.
On conclusion of the expedition, the scientists interacted with the local youth, women and villagers in Lata to conserve traditional knowledge, local empowerment and encouraging eco tourism. The expedition was headed by wildlife scientist GS Rawat.
