Citizen's Charter

1. The Institute

     G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED) is an autonomous Research and Development Institute of Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Govt. of India, New Delhi. The institute is named after Bharat Ratna, Late Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant, who was a great freedom fighter, statesman and an imminent scholar. It was established in 1988, the birth centenary year of Pt. Pant, at Kosi-Katarmal, which is a small settlement in close proximity to his birth  place – village Khoont, in Almora, Uttaranchal. The inception of the institute is also an acknowledgement to the uniqueness and diversity of Himalaya, its environments, and the developmental needs of its people.

    The institute official website is :

URL : http://gbpihed.gov.in

2. Major Objectives

1. Undertake in-depth research and development studies on environmental problems of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and Shivalik Ranges.

2. Identify and strengthen the local knowledge of the environment and contribute towards strengthening researches of regional relevance in the scientific Institutions, Universities/ NGOs and Voluntary agencies working in the Himalayan region, through interactive networking.

3. Evolve and demonstrate suitable technological packages and delivery systems for sustainable development of the region in harmony with local perceptions.

4. To ensures the entire Himalayan Region is taken care of the research and Environment development work.

3. Organizational Structure

     The institute has a strong commitment for sustainable development of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The institute comes under the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India as an Autonomous Institution. It has headquarters at Kosi-Katarmal, Almora (Uttarakhand) and four regional units; namely, Himachal Unit at Mohal (Kullu, HP), Garhwal Unit at Srinagar (Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand), Sikkim Unit at Panthang (Tadong, Sikkim), and NE Unit at Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh). Its area of operation is the entire Indian Himalaya covering nearly 5,91,000 sq km of geographical regime including eleven hill states, viz. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mijoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, and the West Bengal hills. 

4. Major R&D Schemes

The institute with a strong commitment for sustainable development of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is the only institute of its kind which addresses physical, biological, social and economic issues of the region and its people in integrated manner. The R&D mandate of the Institute is broad and covers all the facets of environment and development. Towards achieving this multidisciplinarity approach and integration are the guiding principles. The emphasis on interlinking of natural and social sciences is the major thrust of all the programmes in the Institute. In this effort, special attention is placed on the intricate balance between fragility of mountains, indigenous knowledge and sustainable use of natural resources. Design and implementation of R&D activities on priority environmental problems; development and demonstration of best practices, technology packages and delivery systems for improved livelihood of the people is the core issues covered under most programmes in the Institute. A conscious effort is made to ensure participation of local inhabitants for long-term acceptance and success of various programmes. Therefore, training, education and awareness of a variety of stakeholders are the essential components of all the R & D programmes. A brief summary of R&D activities of the Institute during the reporting year 2007-08 is as follows:

Watershed Processes and Management (WPM)

The Institute has undertaken several research and development projects on land and water management in the past. During the eleventh Plan Period, it was decided to conduct activities focusing on “Watershed Processes and Management (WPM)” theme for Indian Himalayan regions based on systems approach. In house researches were undertaken optimizing hydrological responses in central and Sikkim Himalaya, energy use pattern in rural domestic sector, development of sacred landscape and rehabilitation of degraded land of central Himalayan region, Jhum land in NE Himalaya, nematode diversity studies for improved soil fertility, etc. External funding supported studies in Higher Himalaya particularly on glacier studies (i.e., glacier retreat in Kumaun and Sikkim Himalaya, and discharge and sediment yield in Gangotri, Thelu,  and Milam glaciers), Global Positioning System (GPS) geodesy with permanent and campaign mode surveys for quantification of tectonic deformation rate and landslide monitoring, etc. Special efforts were made for strengthening the Institute’s capabilities for GPS data analysis for surface mapping and landslide monitoring. Under demonstration activities, a joint project with NCC namely, “Operation PARADE” based on Village Environment Action Plan (VEAP) was executed in village Railakot (Distt. Almora, Uttarakhand) in collaboration with other themes of the Institute. Dissemination of findings was carried out through field trainings on soil and water conservation, water recharge using catchment treatment approaches, nursery development and plantation under SWEET package, etc. Glacier Study Centre has been developed in the Institute with support from MoEF and DST. 

Biodiversity Conservation and Management (BCM)

While concluding the previous years activities, especially on Bioresource Inventory of the Himalaya and Biodiversity Studies in Selected Protected Areas, the thematic group Biodiversity Conservation and Management (BCM), based on the inputs received from diverse range of stakeholders, initiated two multi-location projects, namely: (i) response assessment and processing of knowledge base to serve long term management and use of biodiversity in the Himalaya; and (ii) up-scaling applicability of ex-situ mechanisms for conservation and utilization of high value plant species and one state specific project  ‘Conservation and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants in Himachal Pradesh’. The major aim of these projects is to provide authentic and reliable data sets to mainstream biodiversity in achieving sustainable development goals in the region. In addition, emphasis has been given to develop approaches and mechanisms to build capacity of diverse stakeholders for best management and optimal use of Himalayan bioresources. Besides in house projects, the group continues with addressing specific issues pertaining to biodiversity through externally funded projects. During the reporting period, through such projects, intensive information was generated on plant diversity patterns along the altitudinal gradient of Himachal Pradesh, population dynamics of selected high value medicinal plants in different parts of IHR, and biodiversity patterns and conservation priorities in proposed cold desert biosphere reserve, wildlife sanctuaries and watershed. Continuing as lead center for Himalayan Biosphere Reserves (BRs), the group organized National Consultation Workshop, which identified specific issues of R&D for Himalayan BRs. Moreover, using various R&D interventions, the existing ex situ conservation sites at HQs, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh, were further strengthened. 

Environmental Assessment and Management (EAM)

In the year 2007-08, the research activities under the EAM theme has been carried under the following projects : (i) Forest ecosystem services in the central Himalayan mountains: The project aims to look at various ecosystem services of the two major forest types (Oak and Pine) in three locations. Household surveys were undertaken to quantify services. Soil & vegetation analysis of the two forest types was also carried out. (ii) Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Analysis of Hydropower Projects in Western Himalayan Region: The information generated from EIAs, DPRs, PFRs and EMPs of various projects was compiled and extensive field surveys for few identified HEPs were undertaken. GIS based thematic layers have been also developed. (iii) Urbanization vis-à-vis solid waste management and air pollution in sprawling urban cities of Himachal and Uttarakhand: In order to generate datasets and  develop appropriate strategies for management in the sprawling towns of Himalaya, six towns in each Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been selected. Sources, quantity, nature and composition of solid waste were assessed. (iv) Aerosols climatology over the northwestern Indian Himalaya Region: Characterization optical properties of aerosol at Mohal since May 2006 onwards is being undertaken. The spectral AODs averaged over the period indicates high values at shorter wavelengths suggesting large concentrations of small size aerosol particles. (v) Ecology of Reduced Tillage and Mulching in the Central  Himalayan Cropfields: Under this activity nutrient release from decomposing litter, soil fertility, crop yield and soil and water conservation studies were conducted using different combinations of three mulch materials  under two crop cycles. Results based on two years data showed that soil fertility and crop yield were significantly greater under the Lantana mulched plots.

Socio-Economic Development (SED)

During reporting period, based on the stakeholders response, the following five new projects on priority areas were initiated for detailed investigation during XI plan period: (i) Smallholders farming systems: strategies for economic and environmental viability in the western Himalaya (at Hqs), (ii) Scaling up innovative resource management practices for improved livelihoods in the mid hills of the central Himalaya (HQs), (iii) Assessing the eco-tourism potential (Garhwal & Sikkim Unit),  (iv) Shifting Agriculture: issues and options (NE Unit), and (v) Indigenous Knowledge: traditional health care practices in rural areas of Uttarakhand. Also, multilocational approach on ‘Capacity building for entrepreneurship development and self employment in the Himalayan region’ has been adopted as major demonstration and dissemination strategy of the theme. In addition, group continued to work on a few externally funded projects, such as - Participatory management of Bhimtal Lake Catchment; Institutionalizing technology backstopping and capacity enhancement for sustainable agricultural development and encouraging entrepreneurship development based on simple rural technologies within the tribal areas of north east India; Fallow Management Practices among the Tangkhuls of Manipur in Shifting Cultivation Systems; and Enhancement of Livelihood Security through Sustainable Farming Systems and Related Farm Enterprises in north-west Himalaya. The theme also generated funding for a few new projects covering aspects like Enhancement of Livelihood Security through Sustainable Farming Systems and Related Farm Enterprises; Participatory assessment of sustainable scenarios for Himalayan pastoralism; Prioritization and categorization of ailment-specific medicinal plants and their contribution in traditional health care system,  and Cultural landscape: the basis for linking biodiversity conservation with sustainable development. Besides concluding in house projects of previous plan period, externally funded project entitled ‘Augmenting economic security of rural people using indigenous Bamboo resources in the Indian Central Himalaya’ (funded by DST under Women Scientist scheme) was completed in the reporting year.

Biotechnological Applications (BTA)

During the reporting period, emphasis was given to logically conclude some of the R&D activities, namely (1) Water relation studies and ecophysiological responses of selected plants of Himachal Pradesh, (2) Large scale multiplication of elite planting material of important species using in vitro methods, (3) Studies on rhizosphere microbiology of Himalayan plants, and (4) Field trials of technologies developed. In keeping with stakeholders need and leads obtained from abovementioned activities, the focus was on developing propagation packages for economically important plant species of central, western and eastern Himalaya; emphasis shall be given on field performance and conservation, along with looking for alternative sources of active ingredient content via callus and hairy root cultures. Exploration of microbial diversity with special reference to plant growth promoting microorganisms and mycorrhizal associations constituted another crucial aspect and is being carried out in Himalayan soils, including that of north east India, particularly for formulation of carrier based bioinoculants to increase plant productivity under extreme climatic conditions of the Indian Himalayan region (IHR). Field evaluation of microbial inoculants developed for use in mountains is given equal attention. Data sets pertaining to on farm conservation and genetic characterization of diverse landraces of rice are being generated. A study on diversity and reproductive success on fish (Ichthyology) has been recently initiated mainly for Arunachal Pradesh. Capacity building for rural people has been given due emphasis and projects on pond based integrated farming system for economic upliftment of rural women and technology demonstration for higher income generation for farmers are underway during this period.

Knowledge Product and Capacity Building (KCB)

The Himalayan communities have acquired an immense knowledge of their natural environment through their reliance on and interaction with nature and natural resources. Utilization of this knowledge should be an integral part of a holistic and cost-effective approach to sustainable development in many ecological/ social situations. The KCB theme is using this concept to provide both a common framework for the research and as the basis for policy engagement. The knowledge accumulated, documented, produced or developed over a period of time is being transmitted or exchanged through capacity building efforts of the Institute. Major activities undertaken in 2007-08 were successful operation of Rural Technology Centres at Institute Headquarters and units with specifically designed training programs for different stakeholders. The Institute has enhanced its outreach in most of the Himalayan states through projects funded under the Integrated Eco-development Research Program (IERP). Disaster management faculty, Sikkim trained various officials at district level and under different sectors on disaster mitigation.  Several demonstration and dissemination activities were conducted round the year under the theme.    

    Through IERP (Integrated Eco-development Programme of MoEF), Institute also provides extra-mural fund support in IHR for promotion of science and researches of regional importance. The Institute disseminates its R&D findings through publications in National and International journals and its in-house publications. The regular in-house publications of the Institute are - Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Memorial Lectures by eminent personalities, Hima-Paryavaran Newsletter, ENVIS Bulletin on Himalayan Ecology, Himalayan Biosphere Reserve Bulletin, and Institute Annual Reports. The participatory capacity building programmes of the Institute on simple technologies, and bio-diversity conservation are very popular. Some state-of the-art approaches of ecological restoration of waste lands and degraded systems, developed by the Institute, have gained widespread acceptance in the region.

5. Grievances Mechanism and Time Frame for Disposal

Dr. P.P. Dhyani, Scientist-G of GBPIHED functions as a Public Information Officer in order to ensure speedy redressal of grievances. The public can meet the PIO every Friday between 2 PM to 5 PM with regard to their complaints and grievances. The E-mail address of the PIO is: ppdhyani[at]gbpihed[dot]nic[dot]in (or) os[at]gbpihed[dot]nic[dot]in    

            Appellate Authority:     Dr. L.M.S. Palni, Director

                                            G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development

                                            Kosi-Katarmal, Almora-263 643, Uttarakhand, India

                                            Phone: (05962) 241041/241154, Fax: (05962) 241014/241150

                                            E-mail: psdir[at]gbpihed[dot]nic[dot]in, lmspalni[at]rediffmail[dot]com  

                                            Website: http://gbpihed.gov.in

     As regards the time frame for attending the grievances/complaints of the public is concerned, the reply shall be sent to the complainant within a week’s time while it would be the effort of the GBPIHED to settle grievances received by it within three months time.

6. GBPIHED Head Quarter & Units/Contact Points

      The address and Phone Nos. of the GBPIHED’s contact points are given below:

 Further the Citizens’ Charter shall be reviewed from time to time for improving our services and response to the public.