WWF-India Office of the Chief Wildlife Warden Management Planning For Tsomoriri - Tsokar 172-B, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110 003 Department of Wildlife Protection Tel: +91 11 41504815, 41504813, 41504820 Government of Jammu & Fax: +91 11 24691226 Manda Hills, Jammu 180 005 - A Framework Website: www.wwfindia.org Tel: +91 191 2572570 2007

D E PA R T M E N T O F W I L D L I F E P R O T E C T I O N , G O V E R N M E N T O F J A M M U & K A S H M I R

I n C o l l a b o r a t i o n w i t h W W F - I N D I A Management Planning For Tsomoriri - Tsokar - A Framework 2007

Contributors

WWF-India

Parikshit Gautam Pankaj Chandan Archana Chatterjee S Vidya G Areendran

Department of Wildlife Protection Government of J&K

Jigmet Takpa Saleem-ul-Haq

Consultants Seema Bhatt R S Chundawat S A Hussain

Department of Wildlife Protection WWF-India Government of Jammu & Kashmir Vision

Tsomoriri & Tsokar wetland ecosystems are conserved and sustainably managed for biodiversity

and people

Guiding Principles for Management Planning

• Conserve the Natural and Cultural heritage of the area, which is of Regional, National and International Significance.

• Respect the interests of the Local Communities.

• Encourage visitors to appreciate, enjoy and understand this unique heritage and to help in its conservation.

Startsapuk Tso in Tsokar basin Contents

Preface

Introduction

General Information 5

The Ecosystem and Resources 7

Problems and Threats 16

Current Management 19

Management Planning 20

Remote Sensing and GIS 33

Education and Awareness 37

Institutional Arrangements 38 d n a n

A Bibliographical References 39 m a p u n

A Annex I

: t i d Participatory Research Initiative: High Altitude Wetland Conservation - Changthang 41 e r C o t o h Annex II P Introducing Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Certification in : A Feasibility Study Report 61

Annex III Checklist of Birds of Ladakh 73

Annex IV Checklist of Medicinal Plant Species found in Ladakh and used inTibetan Medicine System 77

Annex V Meeting with Government of Jammu and Kashmir, March 2006 86

Annex VI Meeting with Government of Jammu and Kashmir, April 2006 89

Annex VII Meeting with Chief Wildlife Warden, Jammu and Kashmir 90

Annex VIII Management Planning Workshop Orgnised by Department of Wildlife Protection, J&K and WWF-India 92

Budget for the Activities Proposed in the Management Plan 99

Panoramic view of Tsomoriri Preface

The high altitude wetlands Tsomoriri & Tsokar of the basin in the Trans-Himalayan biogeographical region of Ladakh, traditionally used by the nomadic Changpas for their livelihoods, are one of the most unique ecosystems of the world. These are repositories of ancient culture and religious practices, holding strong bond between nature and culture.

Ladakh wetlands including Tsomoriri & Tsokar, are very important breeding sites for waterfowl and represent the only breeding ground of Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus) in India and the globally threatened Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) outside . In addition, this region also supports some of the most endangered species of mammals such as Kiang, Snow Leopard, Lynx,Tibetan Wolf, Himalayan Blue Sheep and Marmot.

Tsomoriri & Tsokar wetlands are facing the growing impact of tourism in the region which adds significantly to the biotic pressures on the adjoining grasslands, leading to pollution, disturbance of the wildlife and change in local life styles leading to a loss of cultural heritage. The degradation process can be checked through landscape improvement, sustainable development and responsible tourism with the participation of local communities.

The and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir have rightly selected these wetlands and its landscapes for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development under the Hon'ble Prime Minister's Reconstruction Package.

The project proposal developed by WWF-India in collaboration with the State Wildlife Department envisages improvement of the eco-fragile habitats of the rare birds and wildlife species, promotion of responsible tourism and livelihood improvement of the Changpas. Scientific research, surveys and development of management tools shall be jointly taken up with some of the leading research and management institutes.

This project has been drafted by a team of officers and consultants from leading conservation organizations, after a series of landscape level and state level meetings/workshops with all the stakeholders and the local inhabitants. Mr. Jigmet Takpa, Conservator of Forests(Wildlife), Ladakh, Dr. Parikshit Gautam, Director, WWF-India, Mr. Saleem-ul-Haq, Wildlife Warden, , Mr. Pankaj Chandan, Project Manager,WWF-India, Ms. Archna Chatterjee, Senior Programme Coordinator, WWF-India, Ms. S Vidya, Coordinator, WWF-India, Ms Seema Bhatt , Biodiversity Consultant, Dr. S A Hussain, Senior Scientist, Wildlife Institute of India and Dr. R S Chundawat, Regional Director, International Snow Leopard Trust have contributed significantly to this project, which is acknowledged.

I am also thankful to Shri Atal Dulloo, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Forest Department and Shri Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF- India, New Delhi for their consistent interest in expediting formulation of this project.

It is expected that the Govt. of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests will consider the project for financial assistance expeditiously. Implementation of the project will go a long way in conservation of the high altitude cold desert biodiversity and promoting sustainable livelihood of the traditional Changpa graziers of the Rupshu basin in Ladakh.

(A.K.Srivastava) IFS Chief Wildlife Warden Government of Jammu & Kashmir

1 As per the estimates of the Animal the Black-necked Crane and the Tibetan there is a need to encourage various Introduction Husbandry Department Leh the Lark, herpetofauna such as the agamid stakeholders to recognize the importance population of sheep and goat has almost lizard Phrynocephalus theobaldi, fishes of management plans and to emphasize doubled since 1970's (Annon 1998). such as Tibetan snowtrout and insects to the state and central Governments for Currently the estimated number of sheep such as Pierid butterfly. provisioning of separate funds towards and goat in Changthang is ca. 185686. implementation of these plans. The recent increase in the tourism LOCATION MAP OF TSOMORIRI & TSOKAR WETLANDS Of this, goats and sheep account for activities and unplanned developmental The present management plan for the 64% and 36% respectively. Steady activities in the region are putting Tsomoriri and Tsokar High Altitude increase in the livestock population in the adverse impacts on these very fragile wetlands have been developed through a area is attributed to influx of nomadic and productive ecosystems. One of the participatory approach. The whole herders from Tibet during recent decades characteristics of mountain tourism is process was carried out over a period of Ind us and perhaps better health care by the high degree of seasonality, which tend to one year and various stakeholders were government agencies (Rawat and concentrate and enhance its adverse consulted during various consultations 7821 Adhikari 2002). The local pashmina goat 6707 7742 impacts on the environment. This is true aimed towards getting inputs from the L yield fine quality wool (Pashmina), which for the high altitude wetlands in Ladakh stakeholders (Annex V, VI, VII & VIII). A is currently sold in the area at the rate of D where tourist access is essentially Besides the scientific community the A 7672 Rs. 400-600 per kg. It is estimated that K restricted to summer months, which is local communities and local tour pashmina wool alone generates an H Z also the peak period of biological activity operators were also consulted through A 6123 annual revenue of Rs. 10 million in N R 6130 and breeding season for much of the separate consultations with them. S A K Changthang. During the recent past the A N fauna (Chandan et al. 2005). This may Several crucial issues which this R LEH local herders have started raising I G N M adversely affect the breeding success of management planning exercise has D E concern about the degradation of O U LUKUNG S the wetland birds, which use these addressed are: U Thakung N pastures and resultant shortage of V Harong Marshes T A wetlands as their breeding grounds. In A L Lungparma L Tso Nyak forage. I 1. Regulation of Unplanned INDIA E Tsigul Tso N Y the event of any catastrophic disturbance S Jamarding Developmental Activities. 4685 Mahe The flora of the region has affinities with or habitat degradation and modification, Tsokar Startsapuk Yaya Tso Tso Puga Dungti very diverse regions the Greater the imformation generated through Loma 2. Managing Tourism. Staklung Peldo Himalaya, to the south, the Pamirs and various scientific studies would help in Kyun Tso 1 4600 Kyun Tso 2 Tsomoriri Lalphari In 3. Reducing the Human Wildlife d Afghanistan, to the west and importantly, conserving these important ecosystems. Chukil Koma u Nurbo Sumdo Jung Demo s Lam-Tso Raar Tibet to the east and north. The Conflict. Shado Bug The traditional resource use of K E Y vegetation is characterized by a life communities are undergoing tremendous 4. Ownership and Management of International Boundaries typical of desert environments and have change in the last few decades, having a research done in these wetland State Boundaries a predominance of annual plants potential influence over the wetland areas. District Boundaries (therophytes, 33%) followed by dwarf Not to Scale ecosystems. The socio-political situation shrub (Chamaephytes, 27%) and 5. Training of the Local Wildlife Staff. is causing a great amount of economic perennial herbs (geophytes). changes amongst the communities living 6. Training of Local communities. Administratively Tsomoriri & Tsokar lie in lake basins of varying size, sandy plains populations of herders and their livestock The fauna of Changthang exhibit several around these wetlands. These factors the Nyoma block of of and mountains fringed by snow peaks. have co-existed with wildlife in the area. 7. Education and Awareness characteristics which have evolved as have had an enormous impact over the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir The internal drainage in some of the However, steady increase in the livestock adaptations to the regions extreme relationship and livelihood linkages of state. Both these wetlands are situated in basins has resulted in concentration of number, limited areas for livestock The plan tries to identify a way of making climatic conditions such as thick fur and Changpas with their pasture resources, the eastern part of Ladakh, commonly salts and minerals over the millennia grazing, rapid increase in the tourism sure that wetland management decisions fine underwool, bushy tails, large nasal spread around the wetlands. known as Changthang. The changthang making the water bodies brackish (Rawat and related developmental activities are better shared by all stakeholders, as cavities, seasonal migration and are the problems of managing a large plateau in the easern Ladakh represents & Adhikari 2002). Less than 1% of the have caused pressure on the land and There is an urgent need to discuss hibernation (Schaller 1977). Due to its and a complex area. an important biogeographic province geographical area on the plateau is resultant conflicts between herders, pertinent conservation issues relating to unique geographical location in the within Indian Trans- (Rodgers cultivated and most of the vegetated wildlife managers and development conservation of these high altitude Himalayan region and despite low & Panwar 1988). This tableland forms zone is used by migratory pastoral agencies in the area. wetlands and for formulating Significance of Tsomoriri biological productivity, the region hosts a the western extension of the Tibetan communities i,e Changpa herders as management plans for these wetlands. Despite poor vegetation cover and surprisingly diverse fauna, mainly & Tsokar plateau and lies at an average altitude of grazing ground (Rawat & Adhikari 2002). This is crucial as a good management relatively low standing biomass and high Palearctic in origin. The region’s 4400m. above mean sea level. This At present the, Changpa herders of plan for a wetland enables focused and Economic anthropogenic pressure, the pastures characteristic fauna includes mammal region exhibits harsh climatic conditions Changthang are at the crossroad of rapid sustained efforts for conservation based near these wetlands sustains a species, such as Royle's Vole, Tibetan 2 and unique assemblages of flora and socio-economic changes and age old on workable vision. It is also felt that These wetlands are very important as far 3 considerably high livestock population. argali and Snow leopard. Bird such as fauna. Much of the plateau comprises pastoral practice. So, far moderate as the economy of the Ladakh region is concerned. A major group of the tourists International Level Research and monitoring plays an visiting Ladakh, come to see these important role in making sure that I General Information wetlands. Wetlands are also vital for One of the wetland Tsomoriri has already wetlands are managed in a more pastures which are used by Changpas been declared as a wetland of scientific way. A regular research & for rearing pashmina goats and sheep. International Importance: Ramsar site monitory programme needs to be under the Ramsar Convention. The 90% of the economy of local evolved for long term conservation and Tsomoriri & Tsokar : Wetlands of National and Nuro Sumdo wetland lies 5 km further communities depends on pashmina Tsokar wetland also qualifies all the management of natural and cultural South and forms part of the catchment of wool. criteria for designation as Ramsar site. heritage of these wetlands. International Importance the Pare Chu river which flows 20 km A. Tsomoriri B1.2 Elevation: (average): 4685 m South of Tsomoriri. Tsomoriri is a Tourism Guiding Principles for Managing Tourism and above mean sea level. important Breeding Ground for Bar- A1.1 Geographical coordinates: 320 Development headed Geese and many other key Both these wetlands are important tourist Management of Tsomoriri 0 B1.3 Area : 4200 ha. 54'N Latitude, 78 18'E Longitude. species of water birds. This is the destinations for the tourists coming to & Tsokar These wetlands are an important place B1.4 General location: Tsokar is southern most and largest amongst the Ladakh. The local tour operators and the for tourism and recreational use. The tour A1.2 Elevation: (average) : 4600 m located at a distance of 150 Km lakes in Indian Changthang region of tourism department are also promoting Guiding principles for managing these operators at Leh share the scenic beauty above MSL. southeast of Leh. Ladakh. Originally the lake had outlets to these wetlands as tourist destinations wetlands are as follows: of these wetlands with the visitors. In A1.3 Area: (in hectares): 25000 ha. the river system but now it forms a because of their scenic beauty and order to make sure that tourism in the Tsomoriri is a fresh to brackish water lake Respecting Community huge enclosed basin fed by two main wildlife of the area. Tourism at present is area is sustainable, it is very important A1.4 General location: Tsomoriri is (<_5.85 g/l NaCl) measured in mid- streams one from the north and other developing very fast and many local Interests that all the tourism activities are carried located 215 km Southeast of Leh 2 summer, spread over an area of 120 km from south-west. This creates extensive people directly depend on tourism for out in a planned manner. Impacts of any town in Eastern Ladakh. with a maximum depth of 40 m. This The local nomadic community claims areas of wetlands and sheltered bays their livelihoods. tourism activity needs to be minimized scenic wetland is among the most many key areas especially the with small islands. These wetlands and no breeding area or key habitat for B. Tsokar popular destinations of tourists visiting Local Level grasslands and they are managing them constitute prime habitat for breeding the migratory birds should be allowed for Ladakh. Wet meadows and borax loaded as they are also the sources of livelihood B1.1 Geographical coordinates: 330 waterfowl including the globally activities eg. camping. wetlands covering about 10 km2 border These wetlands are closely linked with for these people. These people also have 10'N Latitude and 770 55'E threatened, Black-necked Crane and its Northern and Southern shores. The the local communities. All the nomads of economic and community development More and more community based Longitude Bar-headed Geese. A third stream which the area keep moving around these aspirations and need to maintain the tourism activities like local homestays enters the lake from the west has formed wetlands in search of valuable pastures obligations bestowed upon them by the and local guides should be promoted. Satellite Image of Tsomoriri & Tsokar Lake a fertile alluvial plain, below the village near these wetlands. Thus these community traditions. These rights and Community based tourism activities on Korzok, one of the highest areas to be wetlands are the source of livelihood for aspirations need to be supported as one hand help in providing livelihood to cultivated in the world. The lake remains the local communities. much as possible. the local community and on the other frozen from December to March. hand help in conservation. National Level Caring for Natural & Cultural Tsokar is a salt water lake with large Like any other area, many heaps of salt around it (Hussain and Both these wetlands fall in the Heritage developmental projects are coming up in Singh 2000). The lake receives water Changthang region of Ladakh. The Conserving the natural heritage of these this area too. The unplanned from the freshwater lake Startsapuk Tso wetlands in Changthang, are the only wetlands is fundamental to managing developmental activities are having through a small channel, which connects breeding sites for Bar-headed Geese in them. Any use of natural resources adverse impacts on these very fragile both the lakes. The lake also receives India and the only sites outside China should be ecologically sustainable and ecosystems. Many developmental some water from the north eastern end. where highly endangered Black-necked should not adversely effect the activities are being carried out by Tsokar is irregularly L-shaped waterbody. Crane breed. These wetlands also biodiversity conservation in the area. different agencies and many of these Tsokar is an important breeding ground support the endangered mammal Caring for these wetlands includes agencies are totally ignorant about the for the migratory water birds like Bar- species like Kiang, Tibetan Argali, Snow management that conserves the wetland impacts of their developmental projects headed Geese and Brown Headed Gull. leopard and Lynx. features. It is a place where people have on these fragile ecosystems. All the Two pairs of endangered Black-necked kept up a lifestyle that has been closely developmental projects should be Crane regularly breed in this wetland Regional Level linked to nature and shaped the area as referred to wildlife department for (Chandan et al. 2005). The research on These wetlands play a very vital role as a we know it today. Local communities are clearance before implementation. the floral diversity of Tsokar by Rawat staging ground for the various migratory continuing their association with these and Adhikari (2003) has reported 232 water birds using the Central Asian wetlands as these provide major species of vascular plants belonging to flyway. pastures for their livestock. 38 families and 101 genera. Northern parts of Tsokar basin comprising the 4 Shebug nala, Chumik Shaltay, Nabokhar 5

Map prepared by: IGCMC,WWF-India and Tsabra catchment are among the striking feature is the absence of a endemic to the Tibetan Plateau best sites for Tibetan Argali in Ladakh. Of consistent slope, which would plus possibly a third, the Tibetan II The Ecosystem and Resources the estimated 300 argali in Ladakh, close enable water to drain away. Rather gazelle, Procapra picticaudata to 200 occur in this region and mountains the undulating land forms itself into (threatened). Also included are a along the southern side of Tsokar huge basins, into which snowmelt number of smaller herbivores (Namgyal et al 2003). This lake also streams flow, and finding no outlet species endemic to the region: one 2.1 Physical features remains frozen from December to March. settle into the brackish lakes, like species of vole, Alticola roylei, Landuse Landcover map of Tsomoriri

Tsomoriri. three species of mouse hares, Geographically, Eastern Ladakh (where Tsomoriri: A Ramsar Site Ochotona macrotis, Ochotona Tsomoriri & Tsokar are located) l Unique faunal assemblages with curzoniae, Ochotona ladacensis, represents the western most extension of Tsomoriri has been designated as a high diversity, endemism and one species of hare, Lepus the Northern Tibetan Plateau or number of rare or vulnerable Wetland of International importance, a oistolus and one species of Changthang (Northern plains). The species. These include at least 3 Ramsar site in 2002 based on following marmot, Marmota himalayana. Changthang represents the portion of bird species: Black-necked crane, criteria: Tibetan Plateau which extends into India Grus nigricollis (endangered.), l Breeding grounds and key staging in Ladakh. With average elevations l Unique example of a natural Ferruginous pochard, Aythya posts on migration routes for over between 4500-5000 m in the plains, wetland type in the Trans- nyroca (Vul.), Black-necked grebe, 40 species of water birds annual precipitation of 100 mm and himalayan biogeographic region. Podiceps nigricollis (rare), species belonging to 6 families indicative of temperature ranges of 0-300C in summer, Tsomoriri, one of the highest lake of large ungulates the Great wetland diversity and productivity -20 to 400C in winter, the area is a high in the world lies in the Changthang Tibetan Sheep, Ovis ammon (Podicipedidae, Ardeidae, altitude cold desert. Following the region, between 4000-5000m hogdsoni (Vul) and Tibetan Wild Anatidae, Gruidae, Charadriidae ancient trade route, and now major altitude. Changthang's most Ass, Equus kiang (Vul.) both and Sternidae plus the two raptor trekking route, linking Spiti to Rupshu, families Accipitridae & Falconidae). one travels, as it were, backwards in geological time, retracing along the way, in the well preserved rock and fossil record, major stages of Himalayan tectonic history: from the “recent” sedimentary formations of Upper Spiti (mesozoic) to the Cambrian/Pre- Cambrian terrains of the Tsomoriri & Tsokar lake and upper Indus region.

Tsomoriri is about 25 km long, 5-7 km (max. 8.6 km) wide and more than 40 m deep at the deepest point. The surface area of the lake is 148.8 sq km. Maximum depth was in the southeastern Map prepared by:IGCMC, WWF-India corner of 40m.

The salt water lake Tsokar is about 8 km clustered in South Eastern Ladakh within shore. Another stream, the Phirsa flows long and greatest breadth at the eastern the upper-catchment of the rivers Indus into the lake from the north-west, end is 4km (Gopal 2000). Most of the and Sutlej. As such these important creating a wide, sloping plain or fan, lake is about 2m deep although a section water bodies, still practically undisturbed, which is bounded by a low ridge. The of the lake at the eastern end is upto 9m form an essential part of the hydrology of Phirsa wanders across the plain, at times deep (Hussain and Singh 2000). The two of Asia's largest rivers providing reaching the lake, at others debouching waters of the Tsokar contain fresh water to millions of people in India into the Para river. The creation of the considerable amount of potassium and and . fan by the Phirsa stream is seen as the sulfate. reason for the creation of the lake itself, Tsomoriri receives water from several by some scientists. small mountain streams, notably one 2.2 Hydrological features from the north which enters the lake Tsomoriri is considered to be a relict of through pasture land at Peldo laa. A the ice age, formed by meltwaters of ice 6 Six major lakes and riverine wetlands 7 including Tsomoriri & Tsokar basins are single village, Korzok lies on the western masses left behind by retreating glaciers. Waters from surrounding areas drain into important vegetation cover, the main Malayan and Peninsular India meet here. receives very little precipitation and lakes. These lakes may be of different Because of its unique location at the the lake, though the lake has no outflow. source of food for wildlife and livestock. Creation of the Himalaya had provided experiences extremes of cold and arid origin and are mostly situated at very cross road of several floristically distinct Due to desert like conditions, huge While there appears to be no vegetation dispersal corridors and new habitat for a climatic conditions. This accounts for its high altitudes ranging from 4400m to region, the flora of the Ladakh includes amounts of water evaporated very fast in the deeper part of the lakes and little host of life form from different bio- low productivity, sparse vegetation cover, 5000m. At such high altitudes, these characteristic of Afghanistan, Siberia, from the surface of the lake, changing, macrophytic vegetation along their geographic regions. As a result of these and typical alpine characteristic. The brackish water lakes with their adjoining Tibet, and Himalayan flora along with its what had originally been a fresh water margins, the surrounding wet meadows interactions, unique assemblage of flora pasture can only support low densities marshes and lush grasslands provide own unique communities, associations lake into a brackish, and finally saline and bogs have an abundant plant life and fauna has evolved and the Himalaya and wild animals require larger areas to several important habitats for a host of and endemic species. The adaptability of water lake. During winters the surface of including several species of sedge is considered one of the richest bio- maintain their viable populations by migratory and resident birds and these plants to extreme climatic the lake freezes. The shoreline is mainly (Carex) and grasses e.g. Pedicularis, geographic regions in term of its moving between lower winter pastures mammals communities. These lakes with conditions and biotic pressures (e.g., stony with some sand at the northern Primula. biodiversity. Overall endemism is high, and summer grazing grounds at higher their blue waters and surrounding grazing) is of utmost biological interest. end near the Peldo-laa estuary. and the region supports several diverse altitudes. This limitation is recognised by colourful mountain ranges provide breath Therefore, more attention is being given the local herder communities who taking views. Though these areas have by the conservationists and bio- traditionally live a nomadic life style remained un-noticed due to geographic planners in recent years moving their herds between pastures on inaccessibility of the region but in recent (Rodgers & Panwar 1988). a regular annual cycle (Annex I), over a past most of these lakes are now Diversity and affinities of the flora: very large area. accessible to vehicular traffic and open to

tourist and now tourists from different The review of the available literature on To overcome extreme environmental parts of the world travel to these lakes to conditions, both plants and wild animals the flora of the Trans-Himalayan region admire the beauty of this unexplored have adapted themselves in many ways. suggest that approximately 750 species region. This has also brought in with its This region may not be as rich as many of flowering plants have been recorded own set of threats and which require other biomes of the world, in terms of so far (Rau 1974, Kachroo et al., 1977). urgent attention from all stakeholders number of species, but its highly variable When this is compared with the flora of may it forest department, wildlife topography, elevation, aspect and snow similar altitudes range of the main department, tourism department, local cover creates a highly diverse micro Himalayan region of Kumaun, where communities, travel agents and tourist climatic condition which support a variety over 830 species have been recorded themselves. of plant communities. To survive in within 7,000 km2 only (Rawat 1984). extreme environment their 2.4.1 Flora The vegetation at Tsomoriri & Tsokar can morphological, ecological and be broadly grouped into scrub behavioural adaptations are unique. The vegetation, of the Ladakh region, formations, desert steppe and marsh Pastureland near Tsomoriri These diverse assemblages of was classified by the early phyto- Tsokar is a salt water lake and meadows. The major communities communities, diverse life forms and geographers as Caragana - Lonicera- Startsapuk Tso is a freshwater lake. Both Among the wet meadows which are also biological units and provides life support include Caragana-Eurotia, Artemisia- adaptations contribute significantly to its Artemisia formation (Osmaston 1922), these lakes together come under Tsokar fertile pastureland for wild and domestic systems for the people of the plains. Tanacetum, Stipa-Oxytropis-Alyssum, biodiversity value. These highly Zone of dry bushes (Nakao 1955), Alpine Basin. The water from the freshwater ungulates, the Nuro Sumdo wetland and and Carex melanantha-Leymus But this region is now exposed to recent specialised organisms adapted to the steppe (Schweinfurth 1957), Dry alpine lake Startsapuk Tso enters the saltwater Kiang dam pasture at the southern end sccalinus. Very high altitudes (5000 m) development and unsustainable heavy prevailing extreme environment also scrub (Champion & Seth 1968), Alpine lake Tsokar through a small channel of Tsomoriri, and the Korzok pastureland have sparse fell-field communities with exploitation of its rich natural resources make them highly vulnerable to any stony deserts (Puri et al., 1989) and High which connects both these lakes. During along the Korzok stream at the northern moss or cushion-like growth forms, e.g., and high human pressure, putting change in the environment and altitude cold desert (Rodgers and the winter months this channel remains end are important, also as habitat for Thylacospermum caespitosum, Arenaria tremendous pressure on its fragile perturbations to their environment. This Panwar, 1988). However, the rain dry. These wetlands are mostly fed by burrowing mammals and the insect bryophylla, Androsace sarmentosa and a ecosystem. The lower and middle vulnerability is what makes these high shadow effect of the Great Himalayan fauna. The agricultural fields and nearby underwater springs. Three main streams variety of lichens. Stream banks and Himalayas which are easily accessible altitude systems one of the most fragile range, and influence on the flora of the which feed these wetlands are Chemur marshlands at the confluence of the lake has already seen considerable damage ecosystems of the world. region has been well recognised (Hooker marsh meadows around both the lakes and Nachuthang which feed Startsapuk and streams that flow into the lake from to it's environment and ecosystems. 1906, Chatterjee 1939). Several (except areas of borax and salt deposits) Tso, whereas Pangunagu is the main the village side serve as important The Changthang region of eastern However, with increased accessibility to botanical explorations and natural history exhibit a characteristic sedge dominated feeding stream for Tsokar. feeding habitats for birds at Tsomoriri. Ladakh is vastly different from western its remote valleys recently the higher records have contributed towards the vegetation represented by species of region characterised by steep rugged Himalayas and the Trans-Himalayan advancement of the knowledge of the Carex, Kobresia, Scirpus, Triglochin, 2.4 Biodiversity mountains and narrow gorges. In 2.3 Ecological features regions are also facing similar threats flora (Burkill 1965). In general, this region Pucciniella, Ranunculus and Polygonum. contrast to this, the Changthang region from increased human activities. is considered as floristically impoverished The shallow parts of both the lakes The Changthang's wetlands represent In terms of biodiversity this region has, wide open valleys surrounded by as compared to the areas of same support dense growth of aquatic plants oases of productivity in an otherwise arid occupies a unique place. Five rolling hills and creates a network of self Because Trans-Himalayan region falls in altitudes in main Himalayan ranges such as Hippuris vulgaris, Potamogeton steppe environment. They thus play a biogeographic zones viz., Paleartic, drain areas, which forms a series of 8 the rain shadow of the Himalayan ranges (Mani, 1978; Schweinfurth 1984). pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus, 9 Mediterranean, Indo-Chinese, Indo- key ecological role in sustaining a locally monsoon rarely reaches this region. It List of water birds at Tsomoriri & Tsokar Key Plant Species Recorded at Tsomoriri & Tsokar characterised by distinct features in the vi. Snowline zone: Extreme altitudes vegetation composition. Characteristic along perpetual snow (5200 - 5500 m) S. No. Common Name Scientific Name Scientific Name Family species include: Carex nivalis, Oxyria are with a very short growing season, and very poor in species diversity. A few 1. Bar-headed Geese Anser indicus Astragalus confertus Fabaceae digyna, Polygonum, Draba lasiophylla, species of this zone are Sedum ewersii, 2. Ruddy shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Calamagrostis pseudophragmites Poaceae Sedum ewersii, Oxytropis lapponica, S. tibeticum, Draba spp., Arenaria 3. Gargeney Anas querquedula Pedicularis oederei Scrophulariaceae Potentilla multifida and Nepeta. kashmirica, Christolea himalayensis, C. 4. Northern shoveller Anas querquedula Pedicularis pectinata Scrophulariaceae iii. Flat moist grasslands: These are crassifolia, Chorispora subulosa. 5. Red crested pochard Rhodonessa rufina Lcontopodium himalayanum Asteraceae large, flat areas close to lake banks. 6. Common pochard Aythya ferina Kobresta royleana Cyperaceae These are known as Kobresia meadows. 2.4.2 Fauna Kobresta nepalensis Cyperaceae These are important winter pasture for 7. Tufted duck Aythya fuligula Heteropappus altaicus Asteraceae livestock. But these pastures are facing 2.4.2.1 Birds 8. Ferruginous pochard Aythya nyroca Chenopodium glaucum Chenopodiaeceae pressure from increasing number of Despite extreme climatic conditions and 9. Common merganser Mergus merganser trekking parties bringing horses and Delphinium brunonianum Ranunculaceae high elevation, Tsomoriri is surprisingly 10. Northern shoveller Anas clypeata letting them lose for grazing. The water Ephedra gerardiana Ephedraceae diverse. This is mainly due to its unique 11. Common coot Fulica atra Potentilla anserina Rosaceae holding capacity of the marsh meadows habitats. The high altitude lake provides 12. Common redshank Tringa totanus Polygonum delicatulum Polygonaceae is very high, largely due to high organic important breeding ground for host of 13. Common greenshank Tringa nebularia carbon. Sussurea gnaphalodes Asteraceae resident and migratory birds. A total of 14. Green sandpiper Tringa ochropus 280 species of birds have been reported Ranunculus lactus Ranunculaceae iv. Moist Kobresia meadows or marshes: from Ladakh alone (Pfister 2004) and 15. Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Salix hastata Salicaceae The flat areas around the rivers flowing more than 150 species from Tsomoriri & 16. Temminck's stint Clidris temminckii Veronica biloba Scrophulariaceae into the lake and flat area around the Tsokar region. Many species show local 17. Black winged stilt Himantopus himantopus Physochlaena praealta Solanaceae lakes forms an extensive network of migration within the region and breed Poa lahulensis Poaceae marshes. These are important habitat for 18. Lesser sand plover Charadrius mongolus within the catchment. A large proportion breeding population of several migratory 19. Brown headed gull Larus brunnicephalus Kochia indica Amaranthaceae of the avifauna of the region is Lamatogonium carinthiacum Gentianaceae species. These are important winter represented by migratory species. Most 20. Pallas’s gull Larus Ichtyaetus Draba alpina Brassicaceae grazing areas for the livestock also. They of these visit during summer for 21. Commen tern Sterna hirundo are characterised by species such as Chenopodium botrys Chenopodiaceae breeding. The survival of these migratory 22. Great crested grebe Podiceps cristatus Catabrossa aquatica, Chaerophyllum Eremopoa persica Poaceae species will depend on the adequate 23. Eurasian wigeon Anas penelope villosum, Euphrasia vulgaris, Pedicularis protection of their breeding grounds. A 24. Gadwall Anas strepera Zannichellia palustris, and Ranunculus Following are some of the important longiflora, Juncus spp., Carum carvii, high priority must be given to the 25. Mallard Anas plathyrhynchos natans. habitat types visualised : protection and conservation of these bird communities and breeding grounds of 26. Common teal Nettapus coromandelianus The habitat diversity and life forms: i. Moist slopes: These are found in north migratory birds, rare and endangered facing slopes close to the glaciers and species such as Black-necked Crane, The habitat features (both macro and are characterised by the alpine Bar-headed Geese, and other waterfowl. micro) across the Tsomoriri & Tsokar mesophytic elements and which are landscape vary considerably according characterised by species such as Tsomoriri & Tsokar wetlands represent to the topographic, elevation, aspect and Delphinium, Potentilla, Leontopodium, important breeding ground of the Bar- hydrological features. Distinct habitat Taraxacum, Aster, Polygonum, headed Geese, Anser indicus in India. types must be identified and They are also breeding ground for the Astragalus, Poa etc. These slopes are characterised so that their conservation Local nomads at Tsokar globally threatened Black-necked crane, important summer pastures for both wild status can be monitored for future Grus nigricollis. The largest of these animals and livestock and require greater Veronica beccabunga. change in the characteristics. Though at lakes within Indian territory is the attention. this early stage no detailed study has v. Steep rocky slopes and screes: The Tsomoriri which, together with been carried out but based on the ii. Middle drier slopes: Gently rolling rubble slopes and stable scree areas are neighbouring Tsokar, is believed to be reports published and several field visits slopes where snow melts early and characterised by the species like Axyris the most important breeding locality for a tentative list of major habitat types and vegetation is sparse but these are amaranthoides, Crepis tenuifolia, Oxyria waterfowl in Ladakh. Other than the Bar- their characteristic floral elements are extensive and cover a very large digyna, Thermopsis inflata, Euphorbia headed Geese, the main water bird presented here to provide a guide to proportion of the region and range tibetica, Lagotis globossa, Rheum species breeding in the area include: the Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea, future classification after detailed floristic between 4500-5000 m. These slopes are tibeticum, Rheum webbianum, Common redshank Tringa totanus, 10 studies are conducted. Saussurea tibetica. Brown-headed gull, Larus Bar-headed Geese with chicks S. No. Common Name Scientific Name the Tsomoriri catchment in relatively low In the high rugged mountains snow families have associated livestock, leopard stalk prey like bharal, but are grazing land and small agricultural field 27. Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis densities. In some areas due to severe competition with livestock and loss of rare in the region compared to areas in the catchment. The wetland provides 28. Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus habitat and its quality resulting due to further west. Lynx and wild dog are rich pastures for domestic livestock. The 29. Common snipe Gallinago gallinago increasing human and livestock extremely rare predators, but their area has recently been opened to foreign sightings have been reported by many 30. Little curlew Numenius minutus tourists, thereby providing local n e

s scientists. Predator abundance and basic i

31. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus u community direct as well as indirect r

G aspects of their ecology are poorly

n employment. Korzok monastery in 32. Bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica a Agriculture fields near village Korzok V

understood and much needs to be done a

n Korzok village, some 400 years old 33. Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa n to understand this along with the a o

J unlike most of in Ladakh is built & hamster family), as the group as a :

34. Wood sandpiper Tringa glareola t emerging intensification of conflicts. i d

e on gentle slope and is not multi-storeyed r whole has been barely investigated so C

35. Red necked phalarope Phalaropus lobatus o t Lagomorphs, Rodents and Other far. Tsomoriri supports three to four and attracts many tourists. The wetland o 36. Glossy ibis Plegadis felcinellus h P Groups species of mouse hare and more than Kiangs is considered 'Sacred' by the local 37. Marsh sandpiper Tringa stagnatillis two species of voles and can be an Buddhist community and the water of the populations, the density is also very low At least 7 species of Lagomorphs are 38. Terek sandpiper Xenus cinereus indicators community for quality of the found in Ladakh including two hares and wetland is not used by them. At the WWF (Ranjitsinh, 1981; Osborne et al., 1983). Kobresia grassland and marshes which 39. Ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres five mouse hares. The Wooly Ladakh Annual Conference, Nepal, Nov, 2000, The Tsomoriri catchment support a small are the important feeding and breeding 40. Little stint Calidris minuta hare is widely distributed in eastern part Tsomoriri was committed as a 'Sacred population of kiang but local communities ground of host of migratory bird species. Gift for a Living Planet' by the local 41. Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea resent its competition with livestock. (Mallon 1990). Three species of pikas have been reported from the community. This was possible mainly 42. Ruff Philomachus pugnax Most of these populations and species Changthang region the Plateau pika 2.5 Social and cultural due to WWF-India's efforts and trust 43. Pied avocet Recurvirostra avosetta are not studied in detail and therefore Ochotona curzoniae, Ladakh pika, values building with local community. 44. Pacific gloden plover Pluvialis fulva very little is known on the ecology of Ochotona ladakensis and the large- The village Korzok is situated at the The village Thukjay is situated on the 45. Grey plover Pluvialis squatarola these critically threatened species. The eared pika Ochotona macrotis paucity of this ecological and biological (Chundawat et al 1994, Pfister, 2001). A northern end of the lake. This is the only North eastern end of Tsokar. Unlike 46. Whiskered tern Chlidonais hybridus information on these populations is one large rodent of the region includes the village near lake Tsomoriri which is Korzok village most of the villagers here 47. Gull-billed tern Gelochelidon nilotica of the major limitations in developing a Himalayan marmot Marmota himalayana inhabited by Changpas. There are at are nomads. According to 2001 census, 48. Black-necked grebe Podiceps nigricollis comprehensive specific management or bobak. Other than the species occurring present, approximately 149 households Tsokar area has 89 households. Most of 49. Grey heron Ardea cinerea conservation plan for these species but a commensally with man, some four comprised of both settled and nomadic the time of the year people live in the general approach can be taken in the rodents have been reported from the communities. Of these 23 households nomadic tents made out of the yak hair, planning process to include the region the yellow necked field mouse 2.4.2.2 Mammals are settled in the village. Among the commonly known as rebos. Every ecological requirement of these ungulate Apodemus flavicollis, Ladakh hamster, nomads, the Tigazong group comprises household has a house at village Ungulates species. Cricetulus alticola, Royle's vole, of 80 households and the Phestse group Thukjay, which is used mostly to store Apodemins roylei and Stoliczka's Carnivores comprises of 25 households. Besides goods. People seldom live in these The trans-Himalayan region harbours the mountain vole, A.stolickanus. However it richest wild sheep and goat community, these, there are 21 households houses. It is only recently that the Predators include the Pale weasel, the is likely that others are also present, which includes eight species and belonging to Tibetan refugees. These number of houses has increased as Red fox, the Wild dog, the Tibetan wolf, especially amongst the Cricetidae (Vole subspecies. All these species are Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Lynx, and Snow leopard, all of whom are nationally and globally threatened. Mammals near Tsomoriri & Tsokar Council (LAHDC) has provided small Black-necked Crane on nest globally or nationally threatened. In the Tsomoriri & Tsokar supports three houses to these nomads at Thukjay. The open rolling mountains near these Species Scientific Name Conservation Status brunnicephalus, Lesser sand plover, mountain ungulate species all of them wetlands, Wolves are the major predator local government has also constructed Charadrius mongolus and Great Crested are listed under Schedule I of the Indian WLP Act 1972 IUCN Category species in the region and are in direct buildings for the school, fodder storage, Grebe, Podiceps cristatus. Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 (WLP Act, conflict with local herders. Among all the Tibetan Argali Ovis amon hodgsoni 1 Critical ration storage and medical facilities in 1972) and in Appendix I of CITES. This carnivore population, wolves are the settlement. The local community at gives an indication of the present Ladakh Urial Ovis orientalis vignii 1 Endangered considered menace in the region mainly Tsokar also share their resources with precarious conservation status of Bharal Pseudois nayaur 1 Low Risk due to the loss suffered by local herders. animals in the region. These include blue the 22 households of the Tibetan Tibetan Wild Ass Equus kiang 1 Vulnerable sheep Pseudois nayaur, Tibetan argali refugees, who came here in 1959. n

e Wild Yak Bos grunniens 1 Critical s People of the area are the only group of Ovis ammon hodgsoni and Kiang Equus i u r G kiang. Of these, three, Tibetan argali are Snow Leopard Uncia uncia 1 Endangered nomads in Changthang who do not n a V highly threatened and in the past they practice crop cultivation and are entirely a

n Lynx Lynx isabellina 1 NA n

have become locally extinct from a large a dependent on the pastoral pursuit for o J

: Tibetan Wolf Canis lupus chanko 1 Vulnerable t part of their distribution range. A i

d their livelihoods. Their main source of e r

substantial population of argali is C Wild Dog Cuon alpinus laniger 11 Critical 12 cash income is generated through 13 o t o

distributed widely on the higher slopes of h Red Fox Vulpus vulpus 11 Low Risk P Blue Sheep Snow Leopard (b) Surrounding areas: (b) Surrounding areas: lake shore. In a recent survey, 66 Local communities are not aware tents and 640 sheep and goats in of such a legal status of their l Surrounding area is largely State l The marshes and pasturelands an estimated pasture area of less pasturelands and assume a owned and ITBP establishments around lakes are grazed by than 20 sq km at Korzok Phu, complete control over their have taken possession of some domestic and nomadic livestock. which is the main summer resources, whereas building of area near lake Tsomoriri. Most of These high altitude pasturelands of settlement upstream of Korzok Manali-Leh highway and other civic the land of the village Korzok near Changthang are historically the village were recorded. infrastructure are not considered to Tsomoriri and Thukjay near lake home of Pashmina Goat and main be any breach of customary land Tsokar is owned by the local centre for production and supply of l Local nomads at Tsokar tenure. With a history of losing out communities. Pashmina wool from these areas customarily enjoy rights over its their pastures to Tibet, the people to the Indian plains and Kashmir pastureland and its territories are of Samad are cautious of losing valley. Several species of respected by the neighbouring 2.7 Current land use any more of their pasturelands. Ungulates and big herds of Kiang communities. All its pasturelands There are inter community conflicts (a) Site: also depend on these pasturelands are common pastures and there is over the limited pasture resources for grazing. A small portion on the no individual ownership. According l The lake Tsomoriri is held sacred around these wetlands since periphery is used by the people of to the government records, by local community. Couple of anymore loss of their pastures Nomads at summer pastures Korzok village for agriculture. The however, all the pasturelands years back tour operators held a would be extremely harmful to their barley fields at Korzok are belong to the government and the pashmina hair, most valuable goat's hair, The pashmina hair is rarely used for self- 'regatta' in which boating was livelihoods. considered to be the highest customary rights of the people are reared by them. They rear livestock like consumption whereas sheep wool is organised. But this is not a regular cultivated land in the world. As not considered legal. The sheep, goat and yaks. Produce from their primarirly used for making cloths and feature. tourism increases the new land government records term these livestock like meat, hair, wool etc. are carpets and only the surplus wool is sold. l use emerging out of this is the pasturelands as barren lands. sold or bartered in exchange of cultivable Traditionally, yak hair is kept for making There used to be regular camping by tourists right near the produce and other goods. The barter or repairing nomadic tents, while the Himalayan Car Rallies in the exchange is very rare now and mostly it wool is sold for making rough carpets. Tsokar Basin till 2005. But now this is cash driven. These livestock products The meat of the sheep and goat are also has been stopped. are also predominantly consumed at the sold to butchers from Leh who come to l Many areas close to wetlands are household level because they practically village to buy the same. A large amount used by tourists for camping. provide them with everything like clothes, of the money the locals have is spent on shoes, tents and food and predominantly travelling to Leh, in the absence of any l Local people at Tsokar were it is the cultivable produce which is public transport system. The ever regularly extracting salt from the accessed from outside. fluctuating market prices of pashmina southen end of the lake, some leave the local communities vulnerable. seven years back. Before salt Before 1962 war between India and The local communities also borrow extraction began at Tsokar they China, local nomads used to bring salt in money from private traders who come to used to go to Tibet to collect salt the area from Tibet. Following the 1962 buy wool and pashmina hair regularly. At from Medum Tso in Tibet. It used to war, the nomads used to buy salt from present people wish for a sedentary life take months to bring back the salt Leh and Manali for seven to eight years. and are intended towards cultivation. home and it was coordinated with Then they discovered a site at the south Few households find work as road- their yearly migration to winter east end of Tsokar, suitable for salt building labour or go to Leh for other jobs pastures in Tibet (China). collection and fenced off the area. They as labourer in summer months. Besides regularly use to collect salt in the months all this local communities still identify of September and October and it was livestock rearing as the most important equally distributed with in the community. livelihood income for them. The salt was taken to and Leh for trading, where it was exchanged for 2.6 Land tenure/ownership barley and cash. For the past seven years no salt has been extracted from (a) Site:

Tsokar because a rise in the water level l Both the lakes are owned by the of the lake has drowned the particular Government of Jammu and Caragana bushes for use as fuel wood site where they used to collect salt. This Kashmir and are part of the 14 has led to loss of livelihood for people of Changthang cold desert Sanctuary. 15 the area. Local nomadic tent degradation also affects wildlife 3.3 Degradation of III Problems and Threats especially wild herbivores (marmots, hares, ungulates), which may be driven Catchment area off the most severely affected areas. The local population and the other Though trends in livestock holdings in nomadic population heavily exploit the Eastern Ladakh are not well vegetation of the catchment for source of documented, overstocking has been energy, in particular for fuel wood leading reported in the region at least from the to denudation of the catchment. 80s. The high levels of mortality that Pashmina goat at a pastureland occurred then (Darokhan 1986) as well 3.2 Grazing as more recently, including in 1999, in the survey area, are thought to be a In recent years the entire Rupshu valley manifestation of deteriorating pasture is degrading because of over grazing by quality combined with particularly severe domestic livestock. Increasing pressure weather conditions. Still, the rising prices on pastures with the exponential rise in of the high quality “pashmina” or the numbers of trekkers and pack cashmere wool, the winter under fur of animals is of particular concern since the the local high altitude Changra goat, is a prospects for pasture regeneration are strong incentive to further increase Construction activities near Tsomoriri severely limited by the extreme climatic stocking rates. conditions in the region. Soil compaction 3.4 Water Pollution and deep barren jeep tracks are an The growing number of Tibetan refugees, many of them herders from the Tibetan increasingly common sight around With the onset of summers, large Changthang, who have acquired popular camping grounds. The entire numbers of Rebos (nomadic tents) are livestock, mostly sheep and goats, over shorelines of the lakes under high pitched along the streams and people the last decades, is adding further grazing pressure results in decreased use these streams for domestic use. pressure on Eastern Ladakh rangelands. availability of grazable biomass for the There is increasing evidence that these Finally, the rapid development of trekking wild geese and wild ungulates such as streams are bringing large amount of Campin at key Marmot habitat near Tsomoriri tourism in recent years and the kiang. The shorelines along the streams Nitrogenous compound into the lake substantial number of pack animals that closer to Korzok and in some parts along resulting in unusually high concentration destination, its pristine high desert One of the characteristics of tourism and it introduces into the region during the 3.1 Tourism the main lake Tsomoriri in recent years of Ammonium-N and Nitrate-N. Such landscape and lively cultural tradition, all mountain tourism in particular, is a high summer season is becoming a serious are being cultivated resulting in concentration is high near the northern The construction of a road right up to the widely advertised by a number of tourism degree of seasonality, which tends to threat to the available pastures. disturbance to wildlife, water abstraction end (Hussain & Singh, 2001). Tsomoriri & lake has opened up this once remote agencies and adventure tour operators. concentrate and enhance its adverse and associated problems. Pasture Tsokar usually get large contingent of basin for tourism and economic activities. Direct disturbance, willful or not, is impact on the environment. This is tourist from India and abroad. Most of The increased human activity, if not another serious threat closely associated especially true of fragile high altitude them come to these sites by managed properly, is likely to affect the with uncontrolled tourist access to areas ecosystems such as Spiti and Ladakh automobiles. In many cases the vehicles breeding waterfowl population. Tsomoriri of high biodiversity e.g. Kiang chased by where tourist access is essentially are being cleaned on the lake shores lake region is experiencing a rapid and jeep safari, disturbance to the Black- restricted to the summer months, which resulting in contamination of water with considerable development of tourism necked crane in its feeding and breeding is also the peak period of biological diesel and heavy metals. ever since it was opened to outside grounds. Increasing pollution levels in activity and breeding season for most of visitors in 1992,93, as it lies at the areas of tourist concentration like the bird and other fauna. Direct impact of confluence of three important trade and trekking routes and campsites is tourism are: overgrazing, disturbance to 3.5 Habitat degradation now tourist routes: Spiti in the South, the gradually becoming a problem, in places wildlife, pollution, generation of solid Based on topographic, physiographic Tsokar basin accessible from the Manali- a serious one, affecting both people and waste. They can be severe especially and hydrographic evidences many Leh road in the North West and the wildlife. In the absence of garbage when, as is the case here, tourism workers have earlier concluded that the jeepable road leading to Upshi and Leh disposal facilities, the practice of development is sudden, massive and the level of lakes had oscillated in past, first in the North East. The vast majority of dumping garbage into nearby streams as area totally unprepared for it. Records at falling considerably since the ice age and tourists come from Western countries well as into marmot, mouse hare or vole Tsomoriri show that the lake received then increasing during the recent past. attracted by the area's remoteness and burrows, has become common in recent over 3000 tourists just in the 2006 16 17 novelty, a recently opened and unspoilt years. season.

Tourist camp at Tsomoriri IV Current Management

4.1 Jurisdiction

Territorial: State of Jammu & Kashmir

Functional: Department of Wildlife Protection, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, India.

4.2 Management

Tsomoriri & Tsokar are administratively designated as Wetland Reserves. Shooting wildlife is strictly prohibited. A check post has been established by the State Department of Wildlife Protection near Mahe bridge from where tourists enter towards the lake.

Tsomoriri is recognized as a wetland of National Importance. It has also been designated a Wetland of International Importance- a Ramsar site. Tsokar is also recognized as a wetland of National Importance.

In addition, Tsomoriri Conservation Trust legally formed by local community of Korzok also helps in conservation of Tsomoriri by Road construction in catchment regulating camping and vehicle movement around Tsomoriri. At Tsokar , Tsokar Conservation Trust legally formed by the local community of the area helps in conservation and tourism regulation. At Tsomoriri the increase has accelerated 3.6 Human- wildlife generator near the lake for providing in the recent years due to increased electricity facility to Korzok are some conflict 4.3 Management authority summer precipitation. The increased such examples. Such unplanned water level has submerged some of the The local Changpa community are now development will have detrimental Wildlife Warden, Leh islands particularly in the northern end of practicing subsistence agriculture by impacts on biodiversity, scenic value of Department of Wildlife Protection the lake. These islands were extensively drawing water from the feeder streams. lake and the habitat quality in the long-term. Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir used by nesting birds such as Bar- In recent years there are increased Leh, Ladakh headed Geese and other waders. The reports of human wildlife conflicts disappearance of these islands has resulted in the decline in their resulting from crop damage caused by abundance. Large number of vehicles in wildlife and loss of livestock due to the Tsomoriri & Tsokar catchment and in depredation by snow leopard and wolf. fact in the entire Rupshu and Changthang are often plying outside of 3.7 Unplanned the designated road or tracks causing development Tourist resort near Tsomoriri disturbance to wildlife, mortality of lizards and destroying the landscape and The development activities in the region 3.8 Feral dogs thereby decreasing the biodiversity and are sectoral and there is lack of dialogue scenic values of the catchment. The among development agencies leading to A major threat to the population of tourist camp sites do not have solid inter-sectoral policy inconsistency. breeding birds especially Black-necked waste disposal and sanitation facilities. Deployment of large contingent of Crane and Bar-headed Geese is the feral As a result the breeding and feeding paramilitary forces in the region has dogs. These feral dogs eat away the sites for biodiversity are getting eggs and chicks of the birds during impacted. raised concern in various ways. The camp on the shoreline of Tsomoriri is a breeding season. The population of major disturbance to the breeding birds. these dogs is increasing at an alarming The feral dogs thrive on the leftovers of rate and at present there are no means t to check this increasing population. he camp, eggs and fledgling of the Some of these dogs are kept by the units breeding birds. Building of tourist of Military and Paramilitary forces and facilities near the lake shore without once the unit moves, these dogs are left 18 19 proper impact assessment, installation of in area which later become feral.

Degraded Marmot habitat V Management Planning 'holistic' the process is will depend, l Involving stakeholders from the those directly related to the however, on how the process is outset of the planning process wetland facilitates valuable carried out, who is involved and helps to define priority concerns. exchange of knowledge, combining how the final decisions are made. traditional or historical knowledge l Stakeholder interests can have with scientific knowledge. l It is a continuous process; it is positive or negative implications for l It provides a mechanism for 5.1 Approach Lessons learnt act as the feedback loop never static; it must adjust to site management. Likewise the l Involving stakeholders in the thinking about threats and to review the appropriateness of changing conditions and goals. proposed management planning process will assist in the The threats impacting the integrity of management actions and policies and opportunities and other difficult interventions may have a long term to develop a shared Tsomoriri - Tsokar ecosystems and to the then used to either a) make adjustments issues, solving problems and considerable impact on the lives or vision for the wetland and aids in well being of its population are very to the original plan to keep it on the right promoting discussion between livelihoods of local stakeholders. It the development of measures for serious but so are the prospects to track; or b) use the lessons to develop involved parties. is important therefore that those achieving outcomes mitigate them and to promote the next version of the plan. interests be considered and where l It is systematic: most planning WWF-India project 'Conservation of high sustainable development if corrective they do not detract from the exercises work through a pre- altitude wetlands of Ladakh' has measures based on local needs and ecological character, incorporated determined sequence of steps that identified Tsomoriri & Tsokar as priority support are initiated rapidly. Most Objective into management planning. give structure to the process and important in this respect is the fact that sites for conservation action. The project encourage a logical approach. A degradation in terms of pollution and Management Planning meeting at village Korzok l A participatory approach to which began in July 2000 has been Review Implement systematic approach helps to wildlife disturbance. The existence of management management identifying the values will build effective in working with multiple ensure that decisions are based on Adopting a participatory approach to traditional management systems such as commitment towards managing for stakeholders for evolving the knowledge and analysis of the management planning by involving low intensity pastoralism, which have those values in the long term. conservation strategies for the wetlands. Monitor condition subject and its context, and helps legitimate stakeholders in the made it possible for the wild fauna to of features Notable in this is the establishment of others to understand the rationale management planning process, l Legitimate stakeholders can hold survive till today. The lakes lie within the Tsomoriri Conservation Trust by the local for proposed actions. particularly local communities and important knowledge about the boundaries of the proposed High Altitude The adaptable management cycle community at Korzok village and Tsokar indigenous peoples, is beneficial in a site. Incorporating knowledge from Cold Desert National Park in Eastern Conservation Trust at Tsokar. Successful management planning will be l It also involves value judgements. number of ways. Ladakh. Tsomoriri was designated as a characterised by these features: Management planning can be Ramsar site in year 2002. Management thought of as a “process which planning for Tsomoriri became imperative l It is a process, not an event i.e. it embraces the identification of what Preamble / Policy in face of both internal and external does not end with the production of a [protected area] is and what it threats beginning to impact its ecological a plan, but continues through its should become and how to 1. Description character. implementation and beyond. maintain or attain that desired ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER, SOCIO - ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND condition in the face of changing OTHER FEATURES internal and external

. h c t

conditions”(Lipscombe 1987). The t i e

w

use of the word 'should' implies s n

e 2. Evoluation i o t i i

that value judgements help t The confirmation of features n a i u determine what 'should be', as well t o m g

as 'what is'. Planning for protected m e o n

c

areas is thus centred not only on d l n a a analysis of the objective condition c

o 3. Objective/ rationale n l

/ of the natural resource, but also on o

i 1. Factors t s a people and their opinions. r 2. Selection of performance indicators c e i d n

l 3. Objectives u l o 4. Rationale It takes a 'holistic' view. The h m e k planning process can, if carried out m a o t C openly and inclusively, take into s Management Planing meeting at Leh consideration a very wide range of Management planning is an ongoing l It is concerned with the future: it issues, views and opinions. When 4. Action plan process. Adaptive management is the identifies concerns and future applied to a particular area, it 4.1 Projects 4.2 Work programme alternative courses of action, and should be able to include all key element. Good planning requires 4.3 Annual review continuous monitoring and evaluation to examines the evolving chains of processes and issues arising within 4.4 Major review or audit 20 test the effectiveness of the plan. causes and effects likely to result it, as well as those arising outside 21 from current decisions. its boundaries. How integrated or Overview of steps in management planning As an important initiative WWF-India was 1. To identify key species, important local communities. In formulating l maintain scenic beauty of the lake assess the biodiversity value and l Identification of major threats to invited by J&K State Government to wildlife areas and develop specific strategies for an effective and improved and its surrounding areas. characteristic of the flora of the each of these habitats assist in management planning for conservation action plans for management plan, such an approach will Tsomoriri & Tsokar ecosystems. For each habitat the conservation l identify threats to breeding Tsomoriri & Tsokar. WWF-India has biodiversity conservation. strengthen the management capabilities This will establish base line for plan will identify the major threat populations and other ecological steadily worked on the process of in restoring the world's most fragile and monitoring the changes occurring and its likely effect. 2. To develop a catchment aspects from tourism activities. management planning for Tsomoriri & little known ecosystem. due to climatic change and new management plan to maintain the l Utilization pattern of these major Tsokar, incorporating all elements of the development activities. biodiversity value of Tsomoriri & habitats identified and mapped standard Ramsar Guidelines for compilation of available information and Tsokar and the overall ecological l Establish base line biodiversity In addition to the threat, land use management planning of Ramsar sites. new studies which will help in formulation character. of wildlife management plan. Any values maps will also be prepared and WWF-India initiated the process by management approach would be Information from the above studies overlaid with the map of the habitat 3. To develop a comprehensive holding a meeting with officials of State ineffective unless it incorporates the will help assess the floral type to identify the vulnerable tourism management plan for Govt. in March -April 2006. This was biodiversity of the Tsomoriri & areas. Tsomoriri & Tsokar with benefits followed by a planning meeting with Tsokar ecosystems. The going to the village Korzok at l Prescription for monitoring identified experts and institutions at Leh conservation plan will outline a Tsomoriri and village Thukjay at Brahminy ducks The conservation plan will provide including a field visit and interaction with process for analysis of this Tsokar. detailed prescription for monitoring, local community at Korzok, Tsomoriri in 5.4.1.1 Flora information and also for future mapping and analysis of the July 2006. In addition WWF-India's field monitoring to compare the information collected to quantify studies, scientific documentation, 5.4 Components of Before a detailed conservation plan is changing status from the base line and access the changes that are stakeholder consultations, GIS analysis Management Plan prepared for the Tsomoriri & Tsokar, established. Birds during peak migration period taking place. It will also outline a and several technical reports and detailed floral inventory, phyto- scientific knowledge, local communities sociological studies and habitat l Identification of important process for making decision to published studies, over the past seven 5.4.1 Biodiversity Conservation welfare and caters to the tourism industry habitat types address the issue. years have also provided inputs for characterisation will be essential. which is the main cause of the ecological Important habitat type will be developing this framework. To prepare detailed management / Currently very little work has been 5.4.1.2 Fauna conservation plan, information on destruction and potentially altering and conducted on this aspect and therefore identified and each of the habitat affecting the livelihood of local not available for review and planning type will be characterised so that it 5.2 Goal administrative aspects, biology, ecology, 5.4.1.2.1 BIRDS human activities including recent tourist communities. In formulating strategies for conservation action plan. can be monitored. The The goal of the management and influx and land use patterns are an effective and improved management conservation plan will outline the Proposed action plan Proposed action plan conservation of Tsomoriri & Tsokar and essential. These would require plan, such an approach will strengthen process for monitoring. the management capabilities in restoring l Inventory of birds their catchment is to maintain the scenic, compilation of available information and A survey to assess the floristic l Characterisation of these major A detailed inventory will be ecological and biological characteristics new studies which will help in formulation the world's most fragile and little known characteristic of the landscape and habitats ecosystem. prepared for the birds community of the ecosystem. of wildlife management plan. Any mapping of important habitats is required After identification of important of the area. A Checklist will be management approach would be to accomplish the following tasks: The focus for this component is to: habitat these areas will be prepared and circulated to visitors ineffective unless it incorporates the 5.3 Objectives quantitatively characterised. interested in bird watching so that scientific knowledge, local community l maintain ecological integrity l Inventory of flora of the region this check list could be updated on Following objectives have been identified welfare and aspirations of the tourism through a participatory approach A detailed protocol will be prepared l Mapping the extent of these a regular basis. for the conservation of Tsomoriri & industry which is the main cause of the with local population and other for this activity outlining the need habitats and how it will be used in the Tsokar lake ecosystems, including the ecological destruction and potentially stakeholders. Extent of each habitat will be l Identification of important conservation planning process. It entire catchment. These are: altering and affecting the livelihood of mapped using satellite imageries. breeding/feeding habitats l identify important wildlife areas for will also include methodology for This mapping will be essential in The conservation/management protection from new development gathering the information and later planning process. plan will identify all the breeding activities. it will also direct where all this habitats and feeding areas of information and collected l ensure successful and continuous breeding populations such as specimens will be kept for future breeding of populations of some of Black-necked Crane, Bar-headed reference. the important bird species through Geese, Great Crested Grebe, protecting the degradation and loss l Phyto-sociological study Ruddy Shellduck and other of breeding habitat and through After an inventory is prepared the migratory waterfowls. These restoration when necessary. conservation plan will provide a breeding habitats and feeding plan for phyto-sociological studies grounds are critical habitats and l identify and reduce the conflict to study the different plant need highest priority of protection. between the wildlife population and association and community These habitat will be mapped using 22 human activities. 23 structure. It will be essential tool to GIS and will be clearly demarcated. Local communities in a Management Planning meeting Brown headed Gull l Utilization pattern of the l Identification of major threats species. The conservation plan will l Pilot Study on Black-necked the conflict will be prepared which l Veterinary health issues and breeding/feeding habitat All the real and potential threats identify these threat and areas and Crane will be agreeable to both parties, control A spatial and temporal utilization and their likely effect on the prepare a plan to minimize the A study on the habitat the local communities and The conservation plan will also pattern or the land use of these breeding bird population will be impact on breeding population and requirements and migration of management. In recent time up- include a protocol for monitoring critical habitat will be documented. documented. Some of the threats its habitats. Black-necked Crane using the gradation of roads and diseases in livestock and regular The extend of each of the seasonal identified in recent preliminary Platform Transmitter Terminals development of roads are main inoculation against the regularly l Prescription for management activity will be mapped for these studies are: significant change in (PTT's) needs to be done at source of threat to species such as occurring diseases. Losses and protection for breeding habitats. This information will be the water level of the lake possibly Tsokar. marmots due to excessive trapping incurred due to diseases are habitat crucial in developing a due to climate change. This may by the migratory labour population generally larger then the losses In the proposed conservation plan 5.4.1.2.2 MAMMALS conservation plan for the breeding alter the availability of suitable brought in from the plains. The due to livestock depredation. One for each of the threats identified populations. breeding habitat for many species Proposed Action plan conservation plan visualise this of the International Snow Leopard management actions required will such as Bar-headed Geese and aspect and plans for an intensive Trust programme in Pakistan has l Monitoring of breeding be discussed. Several Great Crested Grebe. This would l A comprehensive inventory of education awareness programme successfully documented that such populations management zones will be require intensive monitoring of mammalian species for the road builders with the help an approach easily compensates The conservation plan will provide demarcated for the management of water level and meteorological A detailed list all the mammals of Border Roads Organisation for the losses sustained from a detail monitoring protocol for successful breeding of the data and also extent of important found within the Tsomoriri & Tsokar (BRO) so that poaching problem carnivores and has substantially monitoring the bird populations migratory bird populations. These breeding habitats. Loss of suitable catchments will be essential. This can be minimised. increased the annual income to the specially the migratory bird demarcation will provide for full breeding habitat due to change in is especially necessary for rodent family. A similar programme population. This will include arrival protection of important breeding l Mitigation of livestock water level, may require and mouse hare communities. In urgently required for the region. and departure dates for different habitat and breeding grounds, depredation appropriate restoration activity, the proposed conservation plan to species and the habitat use pre- seasonal utilization of these As far as the livestock depredation l Monitoring of livestock otherwise it can lead to loss of document the mammalian diversity breeding, during breeding and post resources by local communities by wolves are concerned, it will depredation and control breeding population as this we propose a comprehensive breeding. Estimation of population after breeding season is over and require a continuous monitoring In addition to veterinary assistance breeding population may move to documentation and identification of size in different breeding habitats tourism activities in area where it and assessment. Some very and monitoring system for early an alternate site. The conservation mammals found in the region. will be an essential tool for will have least impacts. Vehicular innovative approaches have been detection of disease, health plan will dwell in detail on monitoring. This conservation plan traffic by tourist, uncontrolled l Distribution of major ungulate developed and successfully management of livestock is restoration of breeding habitats. will out line a detail protocol for camping, grazing by pack animals species and other indicator implemented in other parts of the essential. Regular training camps Once on principle a decision is monitoring of these populations. and movement of visitor close to communities trans-Himalyan region. Nature for herder communities are made it will be reflected in the Success of breeding will also be an feeding habitat and breeding One of the first actions would be to Conservation Foundation has been proposed with the help of conservation plan and it will essential part of the conservation ground are some of the activities prepare a detailed distribution map working on this aspect in Kibber veterinary department and NGO provide a strict do's and don'ts for plan. A careful assessment for nest which seriously impact bird of the three ungulate species. This area and successfully community with relevant expertise such a delicate activity. Restoration density and chick survival will be population. A separate tourism plan will be important to understand the demonstrated how communities on a more formal and regular if done wrongly can also make the planned and effect of the different will be developed based on the competition with livestock herds. themselves can compensate the basis. breeding habitat completely activities on breeding success will management zonation discussed Based on this information a spatio- losses to sustain from carnivore redundant. Increased tourist be accessed on a regular interval. earlier so that tourism facilities can temporal plan can be developed in depredation. This programme can 5.4.2 Catchment Management activity near the feeding ground The conservation plan will be developed without negatively participation with the local be under taken as part of the and some of the breeding habitats The main focus of this component is to: incorporate these important impacting the breeding habitats community to reduce the conflict community based conservation and on the habitats upstream can aspects so that breeding and bird populations. between the wild ungulate programme of the plan. impact breeding grounds of other l maintain integrity of the catchment populations can be monitored on a population and livestock. In of Tsomoriri & Tsokar. l Monitoring of some of the key regular basis and immediate addition to the documenting the populations conservation actions taken as soon distribution and abundance of l maintain water quality and The conservation plan will include as changes in the breeding ungulate species, documentation hydrological features of Tsomoriri & a monitoring protocol for the three success or decline in breeding of important marmots and mouse Tsokar. ungulate species on a regular population is noticed. In addition to hare colonies is essential. interval. Taking vole and mouse l improve biodiversity values of the the monitoring of the population l Identification of conflict areas hare populations found in the Tsomoriri & Tsokar. size and breeding success, this All the summer and winter grazing feeding and breeding habitats of plan will also focus on the Proposed action plan pasture will be mapped and migratory bird species as indicator monitoring of the breeding habitat through GIS help conflict areas will population for the health of these l and its availability and Development of Zone plans be mapped. These will be then habitats, a detail monitoring characteristics of the feeding discussed with local communities scheme will be developed. 1. Based on drainage pattern, ridges habitats. and hills, the catchment of the lake 24 and a conservation plan to reduce 25

Breeding habitat near Tsokar needs to be defined and mapped Multiple use zone: This zone 4. Develop liaison with Sheep and vehicles at strategic locations. fragile areas such as Tsomoriri & Tsokar, promoting ecotourism, which is not the on a GIS domain. The entire area should cover remaining catchment Wool Department and initiate Restrict trekking by permitting it it is important to plan for this activity case in most instances. A more under consideration i.e. the lake including Lake Thatsangkaru. collaborative pasture management only along the limited and well differently for such areas. Tourism in encompassing term is perhaps proper and the catchment could be Development activities compatible activities. defined routes. ecologically fragile areas needs to be 'sustainable tourism' which according to divided into different zones keeping to the surrounding landscape, sensitive and planned accordingly. Many the World Tourism Organisation is 5. Provide alternative source of 14. Develop and implement community each zone identifiable and pasture development activities by terms are prevalent today for this kind of tourism that leads to the management of energy to the Korzok and Thukjay based tourism management plan distinguishable based on its different agencies in the area in the tourism. Most common among them is all resources in such a way that villages and to Rebos. Establish for the area. characteristics and management past has not helped but instead ecotourism. This term first developed by economic, social and aesthetic needs LPG and fuel wood depot at objectives. As the Tsomoriri & has put adverse impacts in the 15. Provide adequate human a tour operator in Costa Rica to promote can be fulfilled with maintaining cultural strategic points and made available Tsokar are part of Changthang areas in Thanzankaru Catchment resources and funds to implement tourism in the rain forests of the country integrity, essential ecological processes, to the local communities initially on Wildlife Sanctuary, the zone plan and setting up of Rebos may be catchment development, protection has since become quite common in the biological diversity and life support subsidized rates. should be different from that of permitted. and tourism plans. Involve tourism industry. According to the systems (Ecoworks Foundation 2003). other protected areas, though 6. Provide adequate sanitation communities in planning and International Ecotourism Society, Ecotourism then becomes a subset of 3. Specific management plan for thematically similar zonation facilities at the newly developed implementation process. each zone needs to be prepared approach could be adopted. camp sites so as to prevent inflow taking into account the constitution 16. Develop liaison with LAHDC, of human waste and sewage into 2. In view of the varied land use of the area under each zone, Sheep and Wool Department, the feeder streams and main lakes. pattern and biodiversity value of status of wildlife, present system of Tourism Department, Tour the landscape, maintenance and management including traditional 7. Restrict washing of clothes, operators, Paramilitary forces and regulatory measures and scope for grazing management, and cleaning of vehicle etc along the army, Local NGOs through habitat restoration as well as objectives set forth for the zone. feeder streams and in the lakes. consultative meetings for development measures following developing and implementing an 4. The management prescription inter 8. Conduct periodic water quality zones are proposed: integrated management plan for alia should include the protection analysis. Develop and implement the area. Core zone: The area covering lake measures for the core zone and long term water level and water itself and the surrounding land area restricted use of buffer zone with quality monitoring plan in 17. An extensive programme to control up to a distance of 1000 m from due emphasis on people association with local institutions. the problem of Feral Dogs needs to the shoreline. This zone should participation. Camping near Tsokar be initiated at Tsomoriri & Tsokar. ecotourism is “responsible travel to include marshes of Peldo laa, Nuro 9. Monitor breeding bird population sustainable tourism. Since ecologically, l Development of Theme plans natural areas that conserves the Sumdo, Pangunago and others. and their nesting success culturally and socially sensitive tourism 5.4.3 Tourism Management environment, and improve the welfare of The zone should exclude village particularly along the shorelines encompasses a range of initiatives, it is The prescription proposed applies local people.” A more comprehensive Korzok and its impact zone. and on islands. Traditionally, the wealth of Changpa advisable to use the word 'sustainable to the entire area of concern definition is “travel to fragile, pristine, and However, any form of commercial family is determined by the size of the tourism' rather than 'ecotourism'. without limited to any specific 10. Restrict off track driving of vehicles usually protected areas that strives to be use of the village area should be herd they possess. However there is a zones: through awareness campaigns, low impact and usually small Why Sustainable Tourism discouraged. Tourist camps from concern over the decrease in pasture signages and by creating trenches scale.”(Ecoworks Foundation 2003). Key at Tsomoriri & Tsokar? this zone need to be removed. 1. Restore native vegetation in the land and the lifestyle of Changpas has along the road at strategic characteristics of an ecotourism initiative Core zone through participatory also changed ever since the opening of would include: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Buffer zone: The surrounding locations. the road connecting this area to Leh and protection measures and in the Development Council (LAHDC) in its land, streams and pastures the subsequent increase in tourism. In buffer by restricted grazing. 11. Develop appropriate interpretation l Travel to natural areas Vision Document for 2025 (LAHDC 2005) between boundary of the core zone the past ten years, tourism has come to However fuel wood collection by facilities to educate visitors and puts the overall vision for Ladakh as, “By and up to 3000 m including the assume an exceedingly important role in l Minimal ecological, social and cultural uprooting the Caragana bushes local communities. 2025, Ladakh will emerge as the ridges and hills should be Ladakh's economy. Close to 25000 impacts needs to be completely country's best model of hill area constituted as buffer zone. discouraged. 12. Create storage facilities for the tourists came to Ladakh in the year 2005 l Education for the traveler/tourist for development in a challenging However, this zone should be garbage at camp sites till the time it (LAHDC 2005). Even in the limited tourist environmental awareness environment, with its sustainability extended up to 5 km wherever 2. Winter pastures at alternative sites is disposed off. Involve local season (mid-May to mid-September), the embedded in ecological protection, feeder streams exist. In this zone need to be developed. This should communities in developing solid local economy gets a considerable l Direct financial and other benefits to cultural heritage and human development activity such as be done through consultative waste disposal plan for the entire boost. However, tourism is a double- the local community development”. Further the LAHDC's construction of tourist huts, vehicle process with local communities. Changthang. edged sword and if not adequately vision for is given as, sheds, paramilitary camps, planned can have many negative effects. l Respect for different cultures 3. Derive stocking density of the “To connect tourists to the unique development of pastures for 13. Restrict entry of number of tourist catchment in terms of livestock and Ecotourism has today become a highly topographical advantage and cultural livestock grazing and corrals for and tourist vehicles into the 5.4.3.1 Sustainable Tourism wild ungulates so that optimal 'misused' term and every travel heritage of Ladakh without endangering keeping livestock need to be Changthang by limiting the issue of 26 number of livestock is maintained. agent/tour operator claims that he/she is its fragile ecosystem, while at the same 27 restricted. permits. Create entry barriers for Considering the ill effects of tourism in time scaling up tourism to contribute to To Enable Local Communities to village has been selected for Proposed action plan the economic and social well being of the Derive Benefits from Tourism development under this scheme. There Tourism is not new at these lakes and people of this region” (LAHDC 2005). are 119 blocks and the total investment is Until very recently, there was a sense of has been on the increase ever since the Given this vision for the region and Rs. 142.8 crore. Infrastructure facilities resentment amongst the local community enhanced development in the road specifically for tourism, it is important that such as a Community Information Centre in Korzok and Thukjay that they derived infrastructure of the region. It is thus tourism in Tsomoriri is developed in a and others like water supply, drainage very little benefits from tourism at the crucial at this point of time that a strategy sustainable fashion and provides a etc. are being provided to each model lakes. They were in majority, mere and management plan to manage model for development for other similar village. This is an opportunity for observers while tourists came to the lake, tourism sustainably at the lakes is high altitude lakes. There are two other promoting integrated planning and camped, trekked to surrounding areas developed. There are many components reasons for promoting sustainable management for Tsomoriri and its and it was tour operators from Leh who to this proposed strategy. Each is tourism at Tsomoriri & Tsokar: people. profited from this venture. Subsequently discussed in detail: To Address the Threat from there was very little interest among the 5.4.3.3 Major Stakeholders ITBP personnel near Tsomoriri l Zonation Unregulated Tourism local community in the conservation of Pradesh. ITBP is basically a mountain To ensure that the lake ecosystem the lake. A Participatory Action Research The major stakeholders involved in the The Department of Wildlife Protection, trained force and are posted in various Perhaps one of the biggest threats to is not directly affected by tourism Initiative carried out by WWF-India in development of a sustainable tourism J&K State. Wildlife Division (Leh) parts of Indian Himalayas. Tsomoriri & Tsokar today is from activities, the area needs to be 2003 (Annex I), indicated that the initiative at Tsomoriri & Tsokar are: unregulated tourism. As mentioned divided into definite zones. A map nomadic households showed resentment The Department of Wildlife Protection The ITBP has a small unit based on the earlier, tourism is a double-edged sword The Ladakh Autonomous Hill delineating these zones and against tourism because this activity (Leh) Division came into being in April shore of the lake Tsomoriri. and can destroy or help conserve a Development Council (LAHDC) superimposed on the GIS map of degraded their pastureland, their only 1988. The primary focus of the Tsomoriri Ecodevelopment Committee fragile area depending on how it is Department is to strengthen conservation the region will be prepared as source of survival. People settled in the LAHDC was constituted in accordance planned and carried out. Despite all its measures in the high altitude protected explained in the section 5.4.2. The village of Korzok would like to have with the Ladakh Autonomous Hill This committee has been formed by failings tourism cannot be wished away. areas of Leh district. area around the lake (Core Zone) tourism as one of the sources of income, Development Council Act, 1995 in Department of Wildlife Protection, Leh for It is there to stay since it provides the needs to be kept completely devoid but don't know how. A sustainable August 1995. The Council came into various ecodevelopment activities at much-needed revenue for further All Ladakh Tour Operators of any activity. Camping needs to tourism plan will enable the local being keeping in mind the difficult Tsomoriri. development of the region. The Association be strictly banned from this zone. community to derive benefits from geographical problems and the need for challenge is then to plan in it such a way Tsomoriri Conservation Trust The two designated campsites in tourism. This will also be in consonance greater public participation in the process Association of all the tour operators that it is sustainable, economically buffer zone would be the only with the LAHDC's vision for Ladakh of planning and development of the running tourism business through various The Tsomoriri Conservation Trust was beneficial to the local community and areas where camping is permitted. wherein there is a major thrust towards region. The democratic constitution of the travel agencies. This is a group of local established with support of the WWF- also helps in conservation. Sustainable At present there is capacity for promoting community-based tourism. Council has facilitated democratic tour operators which are based in Leh. India as part of its efforts towards tourism is thus the answer. Tourism if over 200 tourists to be housed in decentralization of the planning process strengthening and capacity building of addressed right away and planned 5.4.3.2 Model Village WWF-India Korzok and its surrounding area. with the involvement of people at the local institutions. It was legally registered systematically will help in conserving the No new hotels/resorts or other Development grass root level. WWF-India initiated a conservation under the Trust Act of the Jammu and lakes in the long run. Very clear accommodation should be allowed project on High Altitude Wetlands of Kashmir State in August 2002 and guidelines; rules and regulations and The state government of Jammu and The Department of Tourism, Jammu in this area. There are two main Ladakh in 1999 with support from the subsequently its constitution was drawn zonation will ensure that pressure from Kashmir is promoting a model village and Kashmir treks that are conducted out of the global WWF network. Three of the up. The head lama of the local tourism does not cause harm to the scheme where, one model village in area. Besides this, three possible largest and more vulnerable wetlands of monastery and a retired school teacher, lakes. each Block is being developed at a cost This department is responsible for the day hike routes have been Ladakh: Tsomoriri, Tsokar and Pangong were unanimously chosen by the of Rs. 1.2 crore per village. Korzok overall planning and execution of identified and these should also be Tso were chosen for focused villagers as the Chairperson and vice- schemes for the development, part of the zonation exercise. A conservation efforts. The conservation Chairperson of the Trust (WWF-India upgradation and improvement of the board with the map of the zonation programme at Tsomoriri & Tsokar is part 2000). tourism infrastructure in different parts of could be developed and put up at the State. The department also provides of this larger conservation project. The Tsokar Conservation Trust the entrance to the lake site. support to the private sector industry major objective of the programme is to through incentives for setting up various develop a strategy and action plan for The Tsokar Conservation Trust was At Tsokar similar map also needs tourist facilities as well as for promotion conservation of high altitude wetlands by established with support of the WWF- to be prepared clearly demarcating and marketing of their products and involving all stakeholders. India as part of its efforts towards all the zones. Camping needs to be services. The main centres of tourist strengthening and capacity building of restricted at Thukjay and at Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) information in Ladakh are the Jammu local communities at Tsokar. It was also Pangonago. At present there is no and Kashmir Tourist Offices at Leh and ITBP was conceived on 24th of October, legally registered under the Trust Act of provision of any accommodation . The Kargil office also has a 1962. Presently ITBP is deployed on the Jammu and Kashmir State in 2006 for the tourists at Tsokar. Travel agents from Leh and camping 28 branch at (Zanskar). Border Guarding duties from and subsequently its constitution was 29 Pass in Ladakh to Diphu La in Arunachal drawn up. tourists bring their own tents for Nomadic women making local blanket camping at Tsokar. But few houses tourists will go beyond what the through questionnaires, to eventually take over the complete Another activity that would concluded that. Homegrown at Thukjay which have been area can sustain and this will lead understand the tourist profile and management of home stays. increase participation of local scheme could be developed recently developed by LAHDC can to degradation of the area. what the tourists' expectations of people in tourism related activities keeping in view the ground realities In the context of village Korzok, be developed as homestays for the Ecosystem carrying capacity hospitality were. A preliminary is the activation of the Korzok Pony - the peculiarities / difficulties home stays seem to be the most tourists as local nomads hardly provides the physical limits to analysis was carried out and a Union. This would encourage associated with the region and the viable tourism initiative. Home stay in these houses during economic development and may draft report has been produced. tourists to take ponies locally and uniqueness of the ecology, culture summer months. Day hike routes be defined as the maximum rate of The survey revealed that many also increase local people's share and social practices. Discussions between Thukjay and Startsapuk resources consumption and waste tourists visiting Tsomoriri & Tsokar in tourist revenue. Very similar with All Ladakh Tour Operators Tso and between Pangonagao and discharge that can be sustained came for adventure. Most however activities can also be carried out at Association (ALTOA) at that time Startsapuk Tso have already been indefinitely in a defined planning came for the aesthetic and cultural Tsokar as similar potential also indicated that the tour operators identified by WWF and can be region without progressively experience. Further analysis exists there. would be quite agreeable to initiate managed by the local communities impairing bio-productivity and eco- showed that most tourists felt that the process and be part of such a l Certification as part of CBT activities. integrity. This concept involves an the local communities should scheme. If Tsomoriri & Tsokar are Certification is a procedure integration of social expectations benefit from tourism and used as pioneering sites to develop l Code of Conduct/Environmental (generally, voluntary) that and ecological capabilities and encouraged the development of such a certification, then it would Guidelines Tourist in a home stay assesses, monitors, and gives minimising the differentials home stays. indeed be a landmark in the A sustainable tourism initiative stays ensure that there is no written assurance that a business, between resource country. Activities (such as the being different from other tourism l Home stays development of new tourist resorts/ product, process, service or demand/requirement and development of environmental endeavours, also has as a Taking into account the findings guesthouses etc. Home stays are management system confirms to supply/availability. A detailed guidelines) towards this kind of component a 'Code of Conduct' or from the tourist surveys and also also a good way of getting the local specific requirements. It awards a carrying capacity study of this area certification are already underway. Guidelines, which guide tourist the fact that the residents of marketable logo or seal to those should be of prime importance and communities a stake in tourism behaviour at the tourist destination. Korzok village have been that meet or exceed baseline needs to become an integral part activities, thus also increasing their l Training and Capacity Building This includes a set of guidelines increasingly feeling the need for a standards, i.e. those that, at a of the planning process. Once a pride and self esteem. Training and capacity building indicating why the particular place greater stake in the tourism minimum, comply with the national range of numbers is arrived at, the Communities now see a clear link needs to become an inherent part is of interest and reminding tourist industry, WWF-India started the and regional regulations, and, Department of Tourism can restrict between the conservation of the of the sustainable tourism initiative of certain 'Dos' and 'Don'ts'. Such process of exploring the typically, fulfill other declared or the number of permits being issued lake and their own livelihoods and at Tsomoriri & Tsokar. As part of guidelines have already been development of home stays in negotiated standards prescribed by to tourist to visit this area. There will be willing partners in developed jointly by WWF-India; Korzok. Discussions pertaining to the programme. Sustainable have been attempts at carrying out conservation initiatives. the J&K Department of Wildlife this were carried out for over two tourism certification is a such studies in some other Protection; Ladakh Ecological years. The women folk of Korzok At the end of the season, there programme or scheme that protected areas. The Keoladeo Development Group; J&K Tourism were in particular, very interested needs to be an analysis of how measures a range of Ghana National Park is one Department and ALTOA. The in the whole concept of 'home much increase there has been in environmental, socio-cultural and protected area where such studies guidelines are in the form of an stays' where they could let out a the income that local communities economic equity issues both have been carried out and these attractive poster. However, there is room in their house to tourists and derive from tourism. internally (within the business, could provide a framework for need for these to be displayed play their local host while also service or product) and externally similar studies in Tsomoriri and at At Tsokar no home stays are more prominently. Several Boards earning something from this (on the surrounding community Tsokar. available at present. But local Korzok monastery need to be designed with these endevour. Such an initiative has and physical environment). In other community is quite keen to start the home stay initiation, a very guidelines in four or five common l Visitor Survey already been tried in the words, a programme or scheme the same. There is a potential at interesting capacity building foreign languages as well. Keeping in mind the need to National Park by the Snow that includes a set of principles that Thukjay to start about 20 exercise was conducted at involve the local community in Leopard Conservancy and is tour operators can subscribe to homestays, as local hill council has l Carrying Capacity Study Tsomoriri with resource persons tourism related activities and the running successfully. At present ten (Ecoworks Foundation 2003). At present, the ITBP maintains a very recently provided some from Markha Valley. These people LAHDC's own vision for tourism in home stays have been established record of the number of tourists houses to the nomads, which they To promote Tsomoriri as a site that had been successfully running Ladakh, it is important to first carry in Korzok. The tourist season of that enter the Tsomoriri lake area do not use during summer months. follows sustainable tourism home stays in the Hemis National out a survey with the tourists who 2006 is the first for these home and also the number of vehicles practices, such a certification could Park with the help of the Snow are visiting the lake site and stays, but has been very l Other Linked Activities that come on a daily basis. be thought of in the long run. A Leopard Conservancy. The analyzing what they expect in successful so far. The women who Parachute cafes run by local Records show that the number of study to determine the feasibility of objective of the workshop was to terms of tourists facilities. A survey are running these are suddenly women could be the next step tourists and vehicles is increasing an ecotourism or sustainable train the women of Korzok in how like this is very important to feeling empowered and energized. towards increasing local stake in every year. There will be a time tourism certification scheme for to manage these home stays by determine what kind of facilities The people of Korzok feel that they tourism. These cafes, besides when the number of tourists and tour operators in Ladakh was experience sharing and detailing of could be developed at the site. are finally getting their fair share refreshments could also sell local vehicles will go beyond the carried out through WWF-India in very practical aspects. This is WWF-India did initiate such a from tourism at Tsomoriri. The handicrafts. This initiative has 30 carrying capacity of this fragile 2003 (Annex II). The study indeed a unique training exercise 31 survey in 2000-01 at the lakes Tsomoriri Conservation Trust will become quite popular in the area. In other words the number of where the women of Markha valley Markha valley. shared their experiences on developed at near river Indus Tourism is an activity where running home stays with their at Leh. Shey is the place from constant monitoring is necessary. VI Remote Sensing and GIS peers in Korzok. where all the tourists pass while Monitoring for a sustainable going to key wetland sites. This tourism initiative would involve the Training also needs to be planned centre can act as a window to monitoring of the ecological, social, 6.1 GIS and Remote For a continuous and proper For reconnaissance survey satellite data for local youth to be trained as these high altitude wetlands before cultural and economic aspects of management of the wetland, decision is very effective. In order to test this guards and tour guides. At Sensing Application they actually visit these sites. This this activity. Monitoring thus has to makers and policy makers need to be approach and formulate a viable Tsomoriri three trails have been centre can provide good be well thought out and managed for Management of provided with useful and understandable Programme of wetland inventory, a identified and these could be conservation orientation to all the well. For this, the capacity of the information on all relevant factors. nationwide project has been initiated. further developed. Trained guides Wetlands visitors. local community will have to be This includes digital image processing of could offer to accompany tourists Consequently, geo-information on the At wetland sites two information built. Following this will be the Remote sensing data has proved to be satellite data to identify the type of on these trails and earn some distribution and nature of wetlands will centres should be made, one at development of monitoring an economic means for inventory, wetlands, turbidity levels and presence more revenue in the process. provide crucial information for managing village Korzok & one at village protocols for all the aspects in monitoring and management of and absence of aquatic vegetation in them. Scientific knowledge of both the Thukjay. These Centres could consideration. Adaptive wetlands. various districts through out the country. Local community members at ecological and the socio-economic Tsomoriri and at Tsokar could also house conservation material about management would be an integral Comprehensive information on the values of wetlands, will prove to be Remotely sensed data, particularly be trained to monitor wildlife the lakes and surrounding part of this plan where results from spatial distribution of land use/ land critical when interventions such as site satellite imagery, are important for populations at the lake sites. They ecosystems. These should also act the monitoring are used cover categories is a prerequisite for development, biodiversity protection, mapping wetlands at regional scales. could also be taught how to as the central coordinating point for systematically in management and proper planning, utilization and eco-tourism, etc. are to take place. With New digital remote sensing technologies maintain records for the same, thus home stays. Local Community the plan altered as and when management of the land resources. Land this advanced technology, a systematic (e.g., medium- to high-resolution giving them a greater stake in members could be trained to required based on the information use change in the study area is approach to environmental monitoring of multiband satellite and airborne imagery conservation initiatives. coordinate activities at the Centre. from monitoring. For example, if wetlands and their resources is possible. of visible, near-infrared, mid-infrared, Tour guides could be made monitoring indicates that the lake necessary to monitor the change pattern thermal, and radar spectral regions) may Capacity building is also necessary available from the Centres as also and the surrounding ecosystem is in land class. Satellite Data in improve Wetlands mapping efforts by for the monitoring of tourism provide information about trekking degrading as a result of increased association with geographical information 6.2 Approach related activities as also trails and routes. The Centres human presence, then the number system (GIS) provide cost and time increasing map accuracy and reducing Using Remote sensing data the spatial conservation related initiatives. could eventually become the hub of tourist visiting the area would effective tool for mapping and formulation map production costs. mapping is done and biologically for all conservation and tourism need to be curtailed. of conservation and management plans. l Education and Awareness important parameters are attached to it By use of advanced GIS software, such related activities for Tsomoriri and Important for a tourist destination Management of these range of Over the past few years, the sustainable using GIS. Thus, by using digital remote as ArcInfo and ERDAS Imagine, we can Korzok. and particularly for a place of initiatives would require a management of wetlands has gained sensing data it will be possible to map, carry out analysis of wetland maps conservation significance, is the l Cross-Site Visits collaborative effort and this could more and more recognition within the analyze data and attain information at derived from remotely sensed data. need for good communication to Stakeholders in any such activity be made possible through a relevant government sectors, yet due to any scale for wetlands, according to the There are three major objectives for use convey to tourists the ecological often learn a lot from other sites management body specially the economic development pressure and management and conservation of remote sensing and GIS for wetland and cultural significance of the where similar activities are being established for this purpose. This high population growth, it is a challenge requirements. management: place. This could be done through carried out. There is much to learn management committee would to turn policies into action. a variety of communication tools from visiting new sites or sharing have representatives from all 1. To develop wetland GIS database, and techniques. Primary among experiences with others from stakeholder groups mentioned in including ecological characters and these are posters and handouts. different regions. In the case of the earlier part of the report. This spatial information for WWF-India is in the process of Korzok, the women learnt a lot committee's mandate would be the management of Ramsar Site. developing a brochure for the lake from women of Markha Valley. As overall monitoring of all tourism 2. To integrate and incorporate and its environs. This brochure and the home stay initiative grows, it activities carried out in this area. natural resources and socio- other written material should be would valuable for these women to This would include ensuring that economic data surveyed by available at all the home stays. visit other home stays in the the number of tourists does not various consultants and available Bird and plant checklists should Himalayan region. This is an exceed the carrying capacity of the at government agencies into GIS also be made available. important component that needs to area; regular collection and database. be built into the sustainable tourism disposal of garbage; ensuring that l Interpretation Programme plan. conservation activities are carried 3. To apply GIS data layers to assist A significant move to promote the out appropriately and also in sustainable management conservation ethic and at the same l Monitoring and Adaptive resolving any conflicts that arise. planning and for smarter decision time create awareness would be Management making for long-term wetland the setting up of an interpretation No activity is complete without a management. 32 programme. For this a Wetland monitoring component built into it. 33 Interpretation Centre needs to be Mammal survey in the catchment It is noted that the first two objectives are to calculate the transformation matrices l Spatial filtering l Meteorological Data accomplished from the database Satellite imagery GIS from the GCS. First order transformation 2. Multiple Image Manipulations l Soil Maps development, while the third objective is is a linear transformation. Transformation an expectation for further use of GIS in of second or higher one is non-linear l Band rationing l Height data planning process, some of which are: Geo-referencing and resampling Input data transformations. The computation and l Slicing l GPS data output of higher order polynomial 1. GIS and remote sensing application for management equation are more complex than that of a l Addition and subtraction l Field information (pre and post planning helps to identify and Image Enhancement Digitization lower order polynomial equation. survey) l Vegetation components evaluate existing wetlands and Therefore, higher order polynomial l Census data (socio-economic potential mitigation sites in the l Principal component analysis equations are applied to perform more data) watershed. Image Extraction (subset) GIS layers Creation complicated image rectification. The 3. Colour Enhancement The data base to be developed will 2. Provide information to local other referral material is used to validate comprise, among others the following planners, government officials, and support the findings of data analysis l BGIR - Coding parameters. environmental consultants, and Root mean square (RMS) error is Classification l HIS Coding conservation agencies about local calculated with a distance equation: 1. Wetland Location maps wetland locations, quality, and 6.3.3 Image classification importance. 2. Wetland type(based on Change Analysis RMS = {(Xr -X1)2 + (Yr -Y1)2} The overall objective of image classification system) 3. Create an up-to-date, accessible classification procedures is to GIS-based map of wetlands Where X1 and Y1 are the input source 3. Area analysis data automatically categorize all the pixels in coordinates and Xr and Yr are transform 4. Identify watershed restoration Calculation of Area Statistics an image into land cover classes or 4. Wetland extent ( monsoon and dry coordinates. needs and action strategies. themes. Classification is usually season) Methodology involved in Satellite Data Processing Resampling method is used to create the performed on multispectral data. Digital 5. Zonation: Various zonation maps 8. Area Calculation 5. Water turbidity and quality output data file. Since the grid of Pixel in image classification uses the spectral would be created based on the 1. Image Restoration 9. Layout Creation source images rarely matches the grid information represented by the digital biophysical, ecological and socio- 6. Diversity of selected area 2. Geo-Rectification numbers in one or more spectral bands economic features persisting in for the reference image, the pixels are Various steps involved in the to classify each pixel based on the 7. Geographical and around Tsomoriri & Tsokar 3. Image Enhancement resample to calculate the new data file methodology are given below. spectral information. This process coordinates(GPS/SOI coordinates) wetlands . values. Nearest neighborhood method is 4. Classification assigns each pixel in an image to a 6.3.1 Image Restoration used in resampling the output pixel 8. Location (village, tehsil, district, 6. Provide for advisory and particular class or theme based on the 5. Land use /Land cover extraction values. The decision rules that have to state) implementation groups to facilitate techniques statistical characteristics of the pixel be applied for the rectified images for the success of the project. 6. Class recoding brightness values. There are a variety of 9. Socio-economic values This compensates for data errors, noise; supervised classification are as here approaches taken to perform digital Land use and land cover classes are: geometric distortions introduced during under: 10. Conservation potential (short and 6.3 Methodology Adopted classification. In the present study two the scanning, recording, and playback most commonly used approaches were long term) Classes l Non parametric rule - for Thematic Data operations. performed, namely supervised and Parallelopiped 11. Wet land status of Eco-region a. Vegetation unsupervised classification. Extraction from the l Restoring periodic line dropouts (GIS output with inputs from l Overlap rule -Parametric Rule Satellite Imageries b. Grassland The input data to be used is as above) l Filtering of random noise l Unclassified rule -Parametric rule follows: ERDAS image processing software and c. Open field/ Cultivation 12. Development of an efficient system l Correcting for atmospheric ARC/GIS 9.1 Software will be used l Parametric rule -Maximum l IRS satellite images of dissemination of data d. Built -up scattering likelihood Erdas 9.1 Image Processing Software is l Paper maps 13. Action program to be taken up e. River l Correcting geometric distortions used for digital processing of the spatial 6.3.2 Image Enhancement l SOI topo maps. 14. Eco-region map data. Digital image processing f. Plantation Geometric correction: In geometric Technique techniques are applied for the mapping correction of the satellite images, l NATMO maps 15. Various Zone maps g. Water Bodies Following will be used: of the land use/land cover classes of the polynomial equations are applied to l Geological maps provided area from the satellite data. The h. Rocky exposure convert source coordinates (image 1. Single image manipulations 6.4 GIS Training methodology applied comes under coordinates) to rectified coordinates. l GPS points 34 7. Overlay Analysis l Contrast enhancement For effective use of tools and database 35 following steps: Least square regression method is used for management of wetlands, training for VII Education and Awareness

officials of wildlife department is very l Raster based GIS. Spatial l Surfaces and TINs. important. The details of the proposed 15 referencing in raster based GIS: l Introduction to remote sensing and days training module are: definition and representation of digital image processing as a raster data, concepts of raster l For Youth- For local youth training l 7.3.2 At Wetland Site Fundamentals of GIS Introduction based GIS data structure, data source of input to geographic could be provided as Nature and to basic concepts including capture and basic operations of information systems. Two Information centers one at Korzok Culture Guides, For University/ definition of GIS, History, the spatial analysis with raster GIS. and at one Thukjay using local materials college students long term project principles, techniques, procedures l High Resolution Images for architecture and artists, may be put up. work could be identified. and terminology of GIS, and digital l Vector based GIS: Definition, Developmental Mapping. Following are the proposed components: representation and data concepts of vector based GIS, data l For Local NGOs- Training on use l Overview of GPS and its acquisition. structures, data capture and l School children on a nature trail Interactive exhibits of Education and awareness applications. operations of spatial analysis with Education and Awareness are most l Small auditorium package, training on environmental l Mapping the spherical Earth vector GIS. crucial components for the success of l Bookshop/ local handicraft laws etc. including, geodesy, grids, datums, l Software and hardware any management plan. There is a need sale shop and projection systems. l Advantages and disadvantages in requirements for GIS. l For Local community- Awareness to develop a well integrated l Small library raster and vector based GIS. comprehensive education and through local language materials, l Geographic data concepts l GIS project planning, management l Office space awareness programme which should taining on homestays, training to Geospatial data components, data l Elementary spatial analysis and and implementation techniquies. l A Nature trail have following components: women on local handicrafts types/models , database modelling. l A Culture trail l management, RDBMS concepts, Applications of GIS including l For Monasteries: to build the Centre at Tsomoriri may be maintained database design. l Introduction to networks in GIS: WebGIS. 7.1 Resource material/ capacities of Lamas (local by Tsomoriri Conservation Trust. Definition, components and Buddhist monks) for their l Hands -on practical exposure publications operations/applications Centre at Tsokar may be maintained by involvement in conservation using ArcInfo®, ERDAS l Site map folder Tsokar Conservation Trust. l l Brochure For Government officials/ politicians- to create awareness l Checklist of Birds 7.4 Target Specific l Postcard and pocket cards l For Military & Paramilitary l Posters and stickers Training and Capacity forces- to create awareness. l Calendars Building Programme l For Tour operators- to conduct 7.2 Development of l For Students- Talks/ Lectures, their tours in an ecofriendly and Slide shows/Film shows, responsible manner. Signages (both in English Competitions, Project work and Ladakhi) l For Cooks and Guides- for better l For Teachers- Workshops, management of garbage along the l Trekking route signages Seminars trekking routes and at camp sites. l Boundary signages l For General Public- Slide/ film l Regulatory signages shows. l Information signages l Directional signages l Wayside exhibits (for Nature and Cultural trails)

7.3 Visitor Interpretation Programme

7.3.1 At Leh

A Visitor interpretation centre at Leh which can also act as data management unit for high altitude wetlands. 3611 3711 Ecology workshop for paramilitary forces VIII Institutional Arrangements Bibliographical References

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40 Annex I Participatory Research Initiative High Altitude Wetland Conservation - Changthang A WWF-India report, November-December, 2003

The Changthang region in Ladakh is a breeding ground for globally threatened with China, preceded by the sudden Trans-Himalayan area, of approximately Black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) influx of the political refugees with their 15,000 square kilometres in size. outside China. The region also supports livestock from Tibet in 1959 have had an Contiguous to the Tibetan Plateau, the some of the most endangered species of enormous impact over the relationship region undulates from 4,000 metres to mammals such as Kiangs, Snow and livelihood linkages of the Changpa nearly 7000 metres above the sea level. Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Lynx, Blue Sheep herders with their pasture resources, It is a high-altitude cold desert with very etc. spread around the wetlands. With losing low annual precipitation, extended their rights and access to a vast amount Changthang is also known for its rich and winters with sub-freezing temperatures, of pasture resources in Tibet, the local diverse cultural landscape, inhabited by characterised by high wind speeds and herders had slowly readjusted in terms of Changpas, a pastoral nomadic intense solar radiation. The landscape is their resource use. The increased community, whose livelihood linkages are characterized by high mountains, rolling tourism and development activities in intrinsically linked to the vast landscape hills and vast plains on the valley floors, and around their pasturelands are some of the Changthang and locally available which are dotted with streams, marshes of the new challenges for them. resources. The pastures found around and some large oligotropic lakes. these wetlands are a rich source of food The local herders carry perceptions and Introduction to the high altitude for the livestock reared by them. opinions about such changes Like, large wetlands of Changthang Changpas rear goats, sheep, yaks for scale army deployments on their their produce and horses for pasturelands are no more challenged as Changthang is one of the most unique transportation and seasonally migrate the army posts have helped them with ecosystems of the world comprising of over large tracts of pasturelands to various consumable goods. The high altitude wetlands, lying in the provide grazing for their livestock. traditional social and cultural similarities western extension of the northern and relationship with the Tibetans have Changpas have lived for several Tibetan plateau or Changthang. The helped them to accept and centuries around these wetlands. The extreme environment of Changthang accommodate refugees inspite of the special characteristics of the high altitude supports a unique and varied, albeit a marginal resource base. Tourism is environment especially the limited very fragile, biodiversity and inter-species welcome but grazing by the trekking resource base define their natural linkages. Being a high-altitude cold animals of tourists is a matter of concern resource use and management through desert, human habitation as well as flora to them. Similarly protective fencing various customary rules and regulations. and fauna are very sparse in around wetlands by the administration is deeply resented on the grounds of Changthang. It is the wetlands around Management Issues which human, as well as other forms of hindered access to their pastures around life have been primarily surviving. The traditional resource use practices of the wetlands. Changpas have seen a tremendous The wetlands and their catchments are a These perceptions and readjustments change in the last few decades. From rich source of fodder and support have a significant role to play in the 1947 when the Changthang/Ladakh domestic and wild herbivores and also changing resource use around the became an integral part of India to the sustain the carnivores and bird life. It is wetland and are also reflected in the Indo-China war in 1962, the region has believed that the wetlands of current state of health of the wetlands of seen changes which have influence over Changthang are the most important Changthang. The participatory research the wetland ecosystems. The breeding ground of Bar- headed geese initiative was an effort to understand from encroachment of traditional pasture (Anser indicus) in India and the only the Changpas’ perspective, the 41 resources by the army after 1962 war

Note: The complete report is available with WWF-India. Here we are presenting the Tsomoriri & Tsokar sections of the report. significance of these wetlands in this settlements have direct habitat were supposed to provide a preliminary compiled draft settlement reports and As we reached close to these yak haired korzok monastery to be a part of the environment and gain from their intrinsic relationship with the four major high judgement of the situation for the WWF- analysed the gathered information during tents, a group of men approached our meeting. We started the meeting by perception, an account of the current altitude wetlands of Changthang. A team. They were given a free hand to the night sessions. jeep. Since we were interested in introducing the team, WWF For Nature- status of these wetlands and the dialogue process was initiated with these exhaust this list and make a new one meeting everyone from the community, India the NGO we were representing and biodiversity they support. The communities on the issues of after interacting with people. Keeping in Tsomoriri they suggested we contact their are purpose for visiting them. We programme also explored the changing conservation of wetlands and wetland mind the fact that an open discussion headman at the next campsite, who explained to them that we planned to linkages of the inhabitants with these management, with the final aim of can go haywire, the tentative check list KORZOK would help us to arrange a meeting. At visit all prominent wetlands in the wetlands and the tools, capacities and identifying potentials for a co- helped to keep the discussion precise. the other campsite, we discovered that Changthang region and understand 17th to 20th November, 2002 limitations of the Changpa society to management approach to conserve the the headman was visiting the korzok various issues concerning these Since this was the first PRA exercise relate to and conserve their environment. wetlands in Ladakh. On 7th November 2002, we started off at settlement in order to distribute periodic wetlands and compile them in the form of undertaken by the WWF team, selection 6:30 am from Leh, the district capital of ration supplies. a report. The report, we told them, would of the first site was based on the extent PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH Methodology Ladakh region to a pastoral nomadic be translated and shared with all the of established rapport with the local We decided to head for the korzok INITIATIVE community settlement, korzok located on settlements living close to the wetlands The exercise tried to enable people living community. The team was also provided settlement, following a road that mostly the banks of a high altitude wetland and then forwarded to the state This participatory research initiative was in the vicinity of these wetlands to with onsite assistance during the travelled along the banks of the Tsomoriri named Tsomoriri. The settlement is government, NGOs working in first of its kind conducted for the high highlight their changing relations with the exercise. Night sessions were organised lake. It is a 27 km long water body with located in south eastern Changthang Changthang, researchers and other altitude wetlands of Changthang. The wetlands and participate in preparing a to discuss and find solution to various brackish blue water in otherwise a barren region which is widely spread in few interested individuals. But what seemed main objective of this exercise was to management plan for the future issues and problems emerging out of the high altitude region and is famous as a thousand kilometres along the river Indus to interest them most was our proposition assess how the local communities living conservation of these high altitude field situations like lack of cooperation breeding grounds for migratory avifauna and extends into Tibet (China). that the report would be useful for them around the high altitude wetlands in wetlands. To accomplish this, a number amongst the women, long distances to species. On the way, we spotted a When we reached the Mahe bridge, over to share concerns with other settlements Changthang interact with the wetland’s of methods and techniques were used so cover etc. Daily diaries were maintained number of Bar-headed Geese in the lake river Indus at around 12:30 pm, our and follow up on certain issues with ecosystem? What are their livelihood that people could analyse their changing by the team members, used essentially who had not yet migrated to lower travel permits issued by the district policy makers. patterns and how are they dependent on relationship with the wetland ecosystem: to collate and share information with altitudes. We also sighted a few Coots commissioner of the Leh district were the resources around these wetlands? each other. floating in a group close to the geese. We took time to make it clear to the l Resource Mapping checked by Jammu and Kashmir state This also included to observe and people that the exercise in itself did not The whole team visited each wetland police posted at the bridge. This bridge It took us an hour to reach the analyse how indigenous resource l Seasonality Maps mean promise for any support, but that it together. These were selected on the notifies the eastward extension of the settlement. There we found a large group practices are losing away and what kind may trigger some support from interested l Transect walks basis of their importance in terms of the inner line area of Leh district restricting of nomads visiting the settlement to of new livelihood arrangements are being organisations to take up development presence of endangered species and the foreign tourist entries beyond this point. It collect their ration supplies, a quarterly contemplated by the local communities l issues in the region and help in Pair wise Ranking and Scoring changing resource use. A team is only since 1994 that the government distribution of sugar, rice and wheat by for their survival around these wetlands. formulation of beneficial government consisting of six members were divided has permitted tourism into part of the state’s public distribution department In this case important consideration was l Livelihood analysis policies. into three groups consisting of two Changthang region and the Mahe bridge (PDS). The headman told us that we had also to find out under what kind of socio- l Institutional analysis members each (one man and one has become an important landmark for arrived at an appropriate occasion and it After the familiarization, the people took economic and political situation the woman) to conduct the exercise in four tourists visiting the Tsomirri wetlands. was a good opportunity to meet most of initiative and drew a detailed resource resource depletion is occurring? l Causal impact analysis wetlands. The wetlands/settlements the people together. Normally the map of their settlement, specifying When we crossed the bridge on a dirt covered: nomadic campsites are scattered in far drinking water sources, the pasture sites This research initiative primarily looked at l Focus Group discussions road for the korzok settlement, another off region and meeting the whole and their traditional migration routes. In the following issues: 55 kms away, the day temperature l Interview guides 1. Tsomoriri / Korzok hovered around 4 to 5 degrees celsius, community together is rare. We took time line, a group of men mentioned l The relationship between local people support from the headman to plan a about their changing resource use l 2. Regul and Startsapuk Tso /Samad with clear signs of recent snow. and the wetlands Group Meetings meeting for the next day. The exercise at pattern around the wetlands and how Before initiating this exercise, a 3 day 3. Hanle marshes/ 8 hamlets of Hanle We crossed Namshang la, approximately l The resource use around the wetlands korzok was very important the team as there is a shortage of winter pastures. preparatory training was organised for 20 kms from the Mahe bridge and we well because it would be their first actual 4. Tsigul and Tsonyak/ 3 hamlets of In response to queries about locations of l How the resource use around these the WWF- Ladakh team to introduce and could spot a few ‘yak hair’ tents or rebos on site PRA experience. The Chushul various nesting sites of bird, some of wetlands are changing and what are train them in the various (called rebo or rebos from here on) methodological improvisations and them drew maps with twigs on the the factors affecting these changes. methods/techniques/tools, to be used for The teams spent three to four days in pitched around a small water body called learnings from this work in korzok would ground and indicated the locations. They the field visits. This included hands- on each settlement. They documented Thazang karu. There were eight rebos in be the essential tools of the team To find answers to all the above queries, also made seasonal calendars depicting exercises of rapport building, interviews livelihood details, emerging changes and all surrounding the lake on its north members to conduct the exercise in the WWF-India undertook a participatory eastern shores and we were told that the time schedule of the bird migrations. etc. Special emphasis was put on due the resource use around the wetlands. other three wetlands. research initiative exercise in 4 high due to an early snow season, the rebos respect to local customs and sensistivity All these issues were put together and After a two-hour long meeting, people altitude community settlements of were more scattered than usual and Next day the meeting started at around 8 to local attire and general social prioritised with the help of local started showing keenness to get back to Changthang between 16th November to otherwise there would have been more am and most of the men, women and decorum. The team also prepared a communities. Later, each team member their campsites as horse’s laden with 42 10th December,2002. These four than 20 rebos pitched in closer proximity. children gathered in the courtyard of the 43 tentative check list of the issues which rations had waited for long during the meeting. However, the herders invited us grazing grounds close to the wetlands, TSOMORIRI submerging of their nesting sites or due Mammal sightings by the local Increasing number of Kiangs? to visit their campsites and hold similar while others stayed back to hold more to the recent fencing. The herders are herders in decreasing order of meetings where they would have focused discussions with the people. Tsomoriri is a brackish water lake, not in favour of the government fencing frequency Kiangs are frequently sighted at the relatively more free time, while also being located in the Changthang region, 200 on the wetland shores as it is considered Phirtse and Tegayung in groups of 2 The issues pertaining to their livestock, Kiang close to their livestock and rebos. kms south east of Leh. It also neighbours to restrict their access to the pastures as to 20. The local herders complain of a grasses and their nomadic movements Shangkhu another wetland Thazangkaru , from well and they often complain against it. recent increase in number of Kiangs After the meeting, we took a transect around the wetlands were discussed in which it is separated by a small river Na in their pastures. One perception is walk in the korzok settlement. We details.We also conducted some The herders accept to hunt these birds. gorge. Nyan that the number is growing because informally spoke with women, men and preference ranking exercises with them During the discussion it was found that Snow leopard Chinese hunt them for food and the children during the walk and later visited and made some causal impact diagrams. Located at an altitude of 4,600 metres, the herders prefer hunting eggs of geese Yee animals often escape towards the the monastery to introduce ourselves to All of us were invited to have lunch with Tsomoriri wetland is encircled by snowy as these birds seem to destroy their Indian borders. Because the local the head monk and others. the families with whom these exercises mountains. The lake is 27 kms long and meagre crops. herders in Indian side do not hunt were being conducted. 6 kms wide. According to a local legend it The local herders believe that the them and is often a refuge for the After we had lunch at the guest house, was part of another lake called Tsokar, mammal population around the wetlands Later that day, we continued with matrix Hunting? animal. The growing number of Kiang we split into three groups of two team located 70 kms south west of Tsomirri. is always fluctuating and it is difficult to scoring for livestock composition, is considered a serious pressure on members each and two groups went to While discussing the sensitive issue give a number to them. However a grasses found around the wetlands and Tsomoriri is known to attract a number of their scarce winter pastures and as a the nomadic campsites and one group of bird hunting, the herders relative estimate is possible. Like herders migratory birds and mammals. On the migratory birds from all over the world result the herders wish to fence their stayed at the korzok settlement to remembered about an incident where informed us that the Snow Leopards had issue of winter pastures, people gave us every year. Local herders know of 16 winter pastures. conduct the participatory exercise. one man was carrying a large number always been rare around Tsomoriri details of various problems in accessing kinds of birds, which are found in and of eggs on his back from an Island of wetlands, while Tibetan Wolves is On the first day, we tried to gather details their traditional pastureland, some of around Tsomoriri. The prominent ones Water sources Tsomoriri. While making his way to frequently found. It is commonly of local historical ties and myths related which have now become part of China are Nagpa, Muru, Chiyung, Pupushelle, the shores he got stuck in the assumed amongst the local herders that There are six feeding streams of to the wetlands. It also led to information following the Indo-China war in 1962. Gyatong, Cha Thung Thung karma (see marshes. His son, who was waiting after a ban on hunting in 1987 by the Tsomoriri wetlands (see Annex). These about the biodiversity supported by the People also talked about increased the list). The specific shores, which are for him saw his father in trouble and J&K government, number of Tibetan streams surround the wetlands and are wetlands This day we kept our tourist activities around the wetlands. frequented by these migratory birds are went to help. Unfortunately he also Wolves has increased and subsequent named as Phirtse Phu, KORZOK Phu, interactions short and tried to visit as Kyangdom, Peldo, Chumik Shiltey and On return to korzok settlement we had got stuck in the same marshes and attack on their livestock as well. Chumik-shiltey, Chakshan, Dachung and many households as possible. The group Thazang karu and these are also the another interactive session with the head died. The local people say this Therefore retaliatory killings of Tibetan Peldo. These streams also make the that went to the Peldo campsite received local nomadic campsites. monk of the korzok monastery to learn happened to them because they ate a wolves are common. Bharals are hunted an invitation to attend a marriage fresh water source for the local herders about the religious significance of the large number of Bar-headed gees’ for food, especially when they get stuck ceremony. This event helped the team to Seasonal calendar drawn up by the local and traditionally the local nomadic Tsomoriri wetlands. eggs, and that they frequently hunted in frozen waters of wetland. Patridges establish a good rapport within the herders showed that the birds migrate to campsites are chosen close to these Tsomoriri around the month of May and Bharals and Patridges. and Bar-headed Geese are amongst the water streams. Their traditional migration community. We visited more campsites on the last live here for 4 to 5 months till the end of others which herders accepted to hunt. pattern is designed in such a way that day and held detailed discussions on People say that whenever a Bar- The teams returned to korzok around 7 October month. The seasonal calendar their dependence on these water specific issues with the help of interview headed Geese is hunted or its eggs is pm and sat together to share the made by the herders depicted their streams is distributed. While scoring the guides. eaten,the KORZOK people light Retaliatory killings information. We crosschecked with the population with predominance of two present dependency on these water Chodme, a holy lamp to take care of checklist made during the training Since the campsites were scattered, it migratory birds i.e. Bar-headed Geese or Wolf traps around the wetlands are sources, it is found that herders the sins. If locals eat large number of programme at Leh and added a few was not possible to hold another group Nagpa and Brahmini ducks or Muru. most common sights. A big stone maximum rely on the KORZOK Phu eggs, the bird destroys their crops. more issues that had emerged following meeting with all the households on our According to them the number of geese standing erect with the help of a little water stream as it flows through the The local dogs do not eat geese eggs our interaction with the people. last day. Therefore we decided to hold a migrating to Tsomoriri has been rising stone is a trap where meat is stuck KORZOK settlement and also feed the because they are always laid on group meeting at the Peldo campsite, since 1990, whereas the number of and whenever prey attracts towards summer campsites for more than a This pattern of debriefing /feedback on Brahmini ducks have remained same. islands, far away from shores. where the headman had his rebo and the the meat and try to grab it, the big period of 3 months. Since the number of information and refining the PRA There is also two pairs of Black-necked maximum number of the herders could heavy stone falls over the prey, sedentary households is rising in the techniques and focus of the team cranes or Cha Thung Thung karma There are also a number of mammals gather. wounding it badly. This is mostly settlement, the number of people continued all through the exercise as which have started to breed here but around the Tsomoriri wetlands like-- retaliatory killings and take place after depending on the KORZOK phu has also standard practice and resulted in During this group meeting, the people their number is always fluctuating. Like Bharals, Tibetan wolves, high Himlayan the wolves attack or kill livestock risen. A guest house for tourists in the contextualizing the PRA exercise to the were informed in detail about various this year, the cranes didn’t nest here. The wild asses, Lynx, and Snow leopard. KORZOK settlement also plans to lift particular site situations and optimum issues that had emerged as a result of herders believed that it happened Herders have also sighted Tibetan There are incidences of wild high water from the KORZOK phu through a use of WWF team capabilities this participatory process. They were because of recent government fencing Argalis and Gazelles around the Himalayan asses and marmots being motorized generator to have a direct appreciative of the exercise and agreed on northern shores of the wetlands. wetlands but they are rare as compare to hunted for its meat. There is a belief Next day, all teams went to the same supply in the guest house. The local to the outputs generated from the Although it is not clear whether Black- other mammals. that they are hunted only by the nomadic campsites. A few group people also cultivate land around the information gathered by the team in the necked cranes didn’t nest due to rise in Tibetan refugees and not by the local 44 members went out with shepherds to the wetlands and stream water is diverted 45 last four days of the PRA exercise. the water levels of wetlands and population of Changpas. every season for irrigation purposes. The primarily rear livestock and graze them whereas sheep wool is sold for Rs. 150 Occupation Preference: insufficient and not enough to feed their 1.2 Livestock feeding stream has also come under on pasturelands located around the to 200/-. It is the pashmina hair which Occupation Preference livestock, whereas the government heavy pressure especially with the Tsomoriri wetlands. Most of these bring the maximum cash to a household wise ranking officials are of the opinion that the The average livestock holding of sheep advent of tourism and army posts also households are nomadic and live in yak followed by the livestock sold for meat to Livestock 1 KORZOK herders own a high livestock and goats of the KORZOK settlement is depending on it. The tourists are seen hair rebos. There are only 22 households butchers. Cultivation 2 population and livestock size per highest amongst all the settlements of household is higher than the carrying camping closely to the stream and out of 179 which are either semi-nomadic Jobs 3 Changthang area which fluctuates polluting it with cooking, washing and There are relatively very few yaks reared capacity of the pastures. between 50 to 300 per household. Some or settled and live in the permanent Guest house 4 by the local herders and they do not defecation, which ultimately mixes with houses at the KORZOK settlement in the households own less than 50 livestock Shop 5 To fulfil their livelihood needs the herders have any commercial value until and the wetland water. With the increase in vicinity of a Budhist monastery whereas whereas some have more than 300. On Trekking/hiring horses 6 from KORZOK buy pasture rights from tourist numbers, many of tourists have unless its meat is sold. Milk products of an average, every household has one or the rest move with their livestock and their neighbouring communities to fulfil started camping close to the other all the animals are kept for self- two horses for travelling whereas yaks only their storehouses are located at the their resource requirement. feeding streams of the Tsomoriri like KORZOK settlement. consumption and not sold in the market. Livelihood Changes are few. Few semi-nomadic families have Chakshan and Chumik shiltey. The Similarly the livestock produce like hides, also kept donkeys necessary to collect The need of cash to access the basic change of human use of all these feeding wool etc. are used for making shoes, Fencing Tsomoriri! fuel wood with only few dzomo (a cross goods like barley, medicines etc. is more streams is sure to affect the wetland's Korzok: clothing, rugs etc. at household levels. between cow and a yak)The local than ever with in the Changpa Fencing on the northern shores of the water quality. Finding plastic wraps, used Total no. of households for herders find the government figures All the saleable animal products are sold community. The decline in barter trade Tsomoriri wetlands has been resented tin containers, plastic water bottles is not KORZOKg- 179. wrong and resent the fact that number of to traders who visit the KORZOK with their neighbouring agricultural by the herders. It was erected two rare on the certain shores of these the livestock owned by them has Total population :- 930. communities for barley is almost years back by the wild life department wetlands. settlement and their nomadic campsites increased. Male :- 459. to save the Black-necked cranes from during summer months. The income from diminished and they have to entirely rely on the market to access their staple diet. tourist traffic. The herders however Tsomoriri water is not used for drinking Female :- 471. selling the animal produce is primarily 1.2.1 Changing Livestock For that large amount of borrowing and complain that the fence restricts their purposes. Herders believe that Tsomoriri Total Agriculture Land :- 633 streams. used in buying the most valued and Composition lending is present within the community. migratory movements from one water is harmful to human health and Cropping Pattern as per the essential market good for the local Like the family of ex-gowa (headman) is pasture to another. According to many therefore is mostly used feeding their agriculture deptt. is Barley and herders i.e barley, their staple diet and is The declining market value of sheep's livestock only. While making seasonal considered to be a rich household which locals, the fencing doesn't serve the Wheat. only accessed from outside as the high wool has pushed the local herders to calendars, herders shown an increase in owned the maximum number of conservation purpose as they had Source: Leh District Records, 2002 altitude land is not successful for rear more goats, which produces the snowfall which has contributed to the livestock. They have now sold their observed a decline in number of precious pashmina hair, sold at a very cultivation. increased water levels of the wetlands. LIVLIHOOD STRATEGIES animals to build a guesthouse and to buy many migratory birds on the northern high market price. The percentage a jeep. They now also lend money to From 1990 onwards they have A few households also earn incomes shores of Tsomoriri ever since the increase of goats and sheep is Livestock rearing is the predominant households in distress or needing cash. experienced heavy snowfall quite often from government and army jobs. Beside fencing of the shores. There is no comparable and it can be seen that livelihood activity of KORZOK Many households frequently borrow and during the 1996 precipitation the the jobs, these families retain their proper ornithological research to goats are increasing fast in the region. households. They rear goats, sheep, money from private traders also who support this, but this year the Black- Tsomoriri levels rose to alarming levels, livestock. Similarly there are households Says a herder who owns one of the horses and yaks. The wool/hair of sheep come to buy livestock goods. necked crane has also not nested submerging nesting sites of birds and the who have migrated to Leh but their largest number of livestock, "We had and goats are sheared every year to be around Tsomirri. only road reaching the KORZOK animals still graze the pasturelands more sheep in the past but now we try to sold in the market whereas horses and LAND USE AROUND THE settlement. These heavy and sudden around the wetlands. raise more goats, as its produce fetches yaks are used as travelling and pack WETLANDS According to people, fencing is snowfalls have also been responsible to better returns in the market and the animals respectively. appropriate if it is done completely as kill a large number of local livestock. With an advent of tourism in 1994, two barter trade between sheep wool and it will also save grasses from the households have started to run 1 Pastoral Use Traditionally the local herders reared barley is diminishing". There are only few The local herders do not worship the trekking parties' horses. Although guesthouses in the KORZOK settlement families who still undertake traditional wetlands, as it holds no religious large number of sheep as well as goats. locals are a bit wary of government and three of them have opened grocery 1.1 Pasture rights trading expedition to Spiti, a significance for them. An old man added The sheep wool was bartered to access taking this initiative and fear the shops. With a large number of neighbouring high-altitude agricultural at this point of our discussion, how even their essential staple diet barley from the Pastures are the most critical natural fenced off area might be locked in and households converting their old region for bartering their sheep wool with dead bodies used to be thrown in the neighbouring agricultural communities. resource for the herders. Like other disallowed for grazing as well. storehouses into bigger houses, a the barley grown in Spiti. This barter trade has declined and with Tsomoriri wetland, a practice that has demand for human labour has increased. pastoral groups in Changthang , the rising cash value of pashmina hair from been discontinued after a request from This demand is also generated by the KORZOK herders have lost out a vast their religious leader. the goats as compare to sheep wool the Indo Tibetan Border Police depot at the portion of their winter pastures to Tibet Name of 1999-2000 2001-2002 2002-2003 2002-2003 herders show a clear preference to rear KORZOK settlement established two after the Indo-China war in 1962. The Village Goat Sheep Goat Sheep Goat Sheep Goat Sheep KORZOK SETTLEMENT more goats than sheep. The sheep wool years ago. This depot hires local labour first livelihood impact in this regard was Korzok 10815 18077 21305 20376 26133 25844 29880 26452 has a very less market value now as in a shrunken livestock size with a drop There are 179 households in KORZOK and their animals to do the periodical compared to pashmina hair. The from 1,000 livestock per household to Department of Sheep Husbandary, Nyoma, Leh district,2002 with a total population of 930. The people recce trips and to ferry loads to the 200 to 300. The local herders believe 46 pashmina hair sell for Rs.1500/- per kg border posts. 47 that the available pastures are Their clear preference in livestock is also the time and location of pasture usage. The herders define the quality of a household supplies of barley with their into the Tsomoriri wetlands. Beside using Chilse and lachu visible in the preference ranking Their migrations are seasonal and pre- particular pastureland, based on the kind livestock. local manure, people heavily rely on exercise, conducted for livestock determined. Once the decision is agreed of grasses grown there. However they Few grasses found in their pastures chemical fertilizers acquired from the Leh preferences. upon, the schedule and movements are also insist that the grading based on this have special characteristics. Some 1.5 Fuel wood/Medicinal market. followed strictly and any violation is factor should be considered tentative at are eaten seasonally and many are herbs Livestock Preference: discouraged with heavy fines of money best, because the most preferred state of completely avoided like Chilse. This 3 Tourism and livestock. pastures is during a good rainfall season. Livestock Preference grass is found close to sweet water The herders complain that now collecting The state government had exposed the ranking streams and its consumption can be fuel wood and medicinal herbs is It is a duty of the gowa to ‘assign’ dates There are a number of grasses which Tsomoriri wetlands for tourism in the year Goats or Rama 1 fatal for their livestock. Grasses like becoming difficult as they have to go to of occupancy and migration and make all are found in these pasture lands and are 1994 subject to seeking of a permit from Sheep or Luk 2 lachu grow in the month of April-May the nomadic households ‘adhere’ to very well known to the herders. longer distances to find them. The and have to be eaten after a flash of the district administration at Leh in Horses or Sta 3 these. The households divide themselves According to them, the common grasses herders agree that the fuel wood have rain, otherwise they can make their groups of four for a duration of only Yaks 4 into sub groups and distribute available around Tsomoriri are Bol, been over-extracted for the commercial livestock blind seven days. themselves around these pastures for Shyot, Longma,Nyalo, Gyapshen, purposes. certain assigned periods. Burtze, tolo. trama etc.(a complete list is There are two kinds of tourist who visit 1.3 Nomadic movements based on the precipitation received in People prefers using animal droppings annexed). The most abundant grasses Tsomoriri : Efficient management systems of pasture that particular year. The herders say that for fuel purposes whereas the fuel wood found around the Tsomoriri wetland are Before the 1962 Indo-China war, the allocation also grade a gowa as weak or 1999 was a good year for grasses as the grown around the wetlands is also 1. Pleasure tourists Gyapshen and Trama whereas Nema is local herders owned pasturelands in strong. The present gowa is perceived previous year experienced extreme regularly collected on a daily basis. the rarest kind available around the 2. Adventure tourists Tibet as well. The traditional headman — ‘weak’ as the people found there are snowfall in autumn. But after that there There are predominantly 5 kinds of fuel wetlands. In the preference ranking Tsering Dorjee still remembers their land many deviations in following of assigned was a sharp decline, reaching to very low wood found around the wetlands i.e exercise it was found that the livestock The Tsomririri wetland is favourite resources, which were spread over a dates for migrations. levels by 2002. Gyapshen, Trama, Ambang Burtze and most preferred Tolo and least preferred amongst pleasure-seeking tourists huge area on the banks of river Indus, in Burnek and most of them overlap with coming to Ladakh who visit the wetlands Tibet. The local herders grade the Tegazung the grasses. Like the Gyapshen leaves in large numbers every year. The tourists pastures as the best pastures for animal are eaten whereas its roots serve as a According to the herders, they used to Gowa! mostly arrive here in the summer months grazing, followed by KORZOK phu, fuel wood for the local herders. A number spend relatively lesser time around the between May and September, when the On asking various people about the rules and regulations governing the use of Thazang karu and Parley. of other plants, found around the Tsomriri wetlands before 1962 when they wetlands has melted and attracts a pastures, people say that now it is not followed as strictly as it used be. The elected wetlands, are used for medicinal could access their pastures in Tibet. At number of migratory birds. The herders gowa is blamed for not being able to manage the pasture use properly. On the other 1.4.2 Winter Grasses purposes too like Trolo, Taksha, Karo present they spend all the autumn and mention that 5 to 20 Jeeps of these hand, the present gowa says assigned dates are declared in consent with all but Pangdok, Gya and Langthang. Few spring months around wetlands and The local herders face a serious tourists arrive daily between the months even then they are not followed and many people occupy fresh pastures before plants are used for dyeing as well. Moksi graze their livestock in closer vicinity of shortage of pasturage during winter of May and September. others. Since he also represents his community outside, he has to travel often to is a famous plant, and is extracted in the Tsomoriri wetlands. The rest of the months. People site two reasons for it Leh for meetings with government officials etc. Therefore many a times it is not large quantities for its dark red colour to Tourists in search of adventures, who time their livestock graze closes to the one is restricted access to their possible for him to follow up on decisions taken earlier. He also said that nowadays dye traditional robes worn by every one. climb the mountain peaks encircling the water catchment zones and are relatively traditional pasturage in Tibet and the the gowa is not given his due respect and it has become difficult to make people Moksi is frequently collected from the hill wetlands or trek on the wetland shores far off from the actual wetlands. second is that they have to share their follow traditional resource use practices. slopes on the northern shores of the are generally less in number. The pastures with the Tibetan refugees, who wetland. popular treks of the region are the one Annual Migratory route: fled Tibet in 1959 and settled in arriving from Spiti over the Parangla and Changthang with their livestock on their Months Location Time Trama ( the distribution and preference the one arriving from Manali- Leh resources. 2 Crop Cultivation Summer KORZOK phu 3 to 4 months wise ranking of grasses are annexed). highway through Raldo. Autumn Peldo, Chakshan –on the wetland shores 1to 2 months The herders also reported decline of At present, the winter fodder for their The few settled households in the There is a government guest house Winter Tegazung 3 to 4 months precious grasses in their pasturelands livestock is largely augmented with KORZOK settlement cultivate on the close to the shores of the wetlands in Spring Kyangdom, Chumik shiltey-on the wetland shores 1 to 2 months and in the ranking it was discovered that government provisions of subsidised shores of Tsomoriri wetlands. It is around 1984. Till 1994, it had served as a refuge Tolo is declined the most followed by animal feed, distributed every year, 633 kanals of land which is cultivated for for all the government officials but with Management systems pang sewo. The local herders think that before the onset of winter season. But a single annual crop of barley and 1.4 Grasses the tourists' arrival it is also used by the increased fluctuations in the the herders do not find the government vegetables, besides fodder grasses. The tourists who do not camp on the shores. It is interesting to note that the herders The winter times are always a tough precipitation, rising vehicular traffic on feed enough for their requirement and cultivable land is stretched along the From the last two years, monastery has have rearranged their migration patterns period for their livestock grazing because their pastures, foreign livestock/animals also buy fodder from the open market. banks of KORZOK phu and the water of leased out a piece of land on the banks after 1962 and survived with limited of insufficient pasturage. During this etc are the main causes for this decline. During any kind of natural calamities or phu is diverted for irrigation purposes. of the KORZOK phu water stream to a pasturage. As per their tradition, the period, reduced grass growth is often livestock sickness, which restrict For that the herders have constructed Since the last decade or so, grass private travel agent from Leh town, to be pasture management is the main coupled with natural calamities, which movement or limit available fodder the irrigation channels to divert water of the growth around the wetlands has been run as a camping site for the tourists. 48 responsibility of their gowa, who decides put the very survival of their livestock at herders are forced to share their KORZOK phu to the fields before it feeds 49 fluctuating between normal, high and low Similarly a monastic building is also stake. constructed close to the shores of the People's knowledge about the not make our pastoral practices more Leh town who earn from it. There are happily cooperated in the group meeting other land marks like Manali-Leh wetlands and is frequently visited by biodiversity found around their wetlands viable to the market needs, we will be many nomadic households who showed at a short request and were willing to Highway, Thaglangala and Regul and tourists for meditation etc. is enormous. They are also well informed much poorer". For this if they need to resentment towards tourism, which support our participatory exercise. Startsapuck tso. They also informed us about the status of various species of change their livestock composition or use degrades their pasture resources their that they would be shifting to Samad The tourist activities around the Tsomoriri After an introduction round, these people flora and fauna. The most pertinent some intense practices of cross only survival source. On the other hand, settlement with their livestock in another wetlands include large scale camping took interest and drew a resource map concern amongst the KORZOK people is breeding, they welcome them. They do herders who live a sedentary life at the two days time, and will be relatively busy and cooking. The trekking horses also on the ground using stray sticks. They about losing access and control over not want their children to follow the same KORZOK settlement, prefer to have with their packing and shifting from now graze the pastures on the wetland used stones, grasses, ice and snow to their pasture resources. After the 1962 pursuits, instead want them to live a tourism as another income source. onwards. Although they didn't seem to shores without a local consent and the identify wetlands, pasturelands, the war, and influx ofTibetan refugees, their settled life and that poses another mind our visiting them. herders often complain about such There is an inequity towards tourism Manali-Leh highway and water sources pasture resources have shrunken readjustment towards the resources activities. Some tourists also swim in the benefit sharing and the households etc. They marked yearly location of their Next day, our team split up into two tremendously and now with an advent of surrounding the wetlands. groups. One group stayed at the Samad lake and are also seen driving upto the which can invest in tourism infrastructure nomadic campsites around the wetlands. tourism, army and fencing, they have settlement while the other went to the wetland shores which disturs the nesting Weakening local institutions are likely to have a larger share of It was interesting to realize that for them further reduced while threatening their Ponganagu campsite again. and breeding sites of the migratory birds. benefits from tourism. According to many Tsokar lake was known with different livelihoods. Till date they face a serious The local herders say that this nuisance The sustainable pasture use around herders, charging camping fee and names of Regul Tso and Startsapuk Tso. shortage of grasses in every winter At the Samad settlement, we found that scares the birds away. Tsomoriri is highly dependent on the trekking horse fee can benefit the Similarly Samad settlement used to be a season, causing livestock mortality. the people were busy visiting Nuruchen community's age-old management community much more in an equitable nomadic campsite with a name of Rale`. Tourism does not generate much benefit that day, to collect their winter fodder practices. Through various kinds of manner. They also discussed the change in land crop and our request to accompany them for the local people. It is the meagre cash Shrunken Pasturage influences, these management practices use in post Indo-China war and the on their Nuruchen visit was humbly income through camping fee and hiring After the 1962 Indo China conflict, the are undergoing many changes. The local Insensitive Policies economic implications of Manali Leh accepted. out animals for trekking purposes. herders have lost out on their winter institutions, facilitating the indigenous highway construction in 1982. With most of the government grazing land and pressure on their pasture use, are facing a decline and it is Despite heavy snow that day the people interventions centred on the KORZOK 4 Army pasturelands around the wetlands has an issue of concern. Experts believe that After having a group meeting at the continued distributing fodder crop grown settlement, there is a frequent travel increased in terms of the number of days there is a need to do a great amount of Samad settlement, we all decided to go in Nuruchen, their only patch of cultivable For the last two years, Indo Tibetan between the nomadic campsites and the land. The distribution has to be done in spent. The herders mention about a capacity building of their local institutions to the nomadic campsite at Ponganagu Border Police (ITBP) has established its settlement. All the roads reaching the the presence of government officials, number of Tibetan refugees who arrived to enable them to remain effective. with Tharchen, the ex-headman of ration depot at KORZOK on the wetland settlement are on the wetland shores Samad as most of the nomadic families who had helped them to grow these shores. As a result, number of army here with livestock after the war and had Livestock-wildlife conflict and are frequented more often than ever were camping there. After reaching fodder crops and they were on a short officials and their families visiting the to be accommodated within these by government officials, army, tourists Ponganagu, we explained our interest visit to Nuruchen. We observed the wetlands for recreational purposes are meagre resources. There are many Livestock are the only wealth for herders and local people themselves. Now a and requested the headman to help us to whole distribution process, while helping relatively increased. There are also large families who now have to pay money to and any threat to them is considered weekly public transport has also been hold a group meeting with all the them carry some fodder loads. During army expeditions, which do extensive use grazing resources of the serious. Therefore, retaliatory killing of planned from the KORZOK settlement to their resting breaks, we asked them neighbouring settlements like Hanle. nomadic families at the campsite. The recce trips around the wetlands. It about their deficit winter fodder Shangkhu is common amongst the Leh. headman showed reluctance and asked includes large scale camping, cooking requirements and tried to understand Changing Pastoral Practices people. Similarly, Kiangs' sharing of the a few questions about how can such a and washing around the wetlands. their traditional methods to suffice their same habitat with their livestock is also Regul and Startsapuk Tso meeting be conducted or managed since The KORZOK herders are passing resented and people want to fence off winter fodder needs. From how long With the WWF-Ladakh initiative, the SAMAD the nomadic families were illiterate. We through a transformation in their pastoral their pasturelands. back did they need to cultivate the winter ITBP soldiers perform cleaning 20th to 24th November 2002 explained that participatory nature of the livelihood practices. The shrunken fodder? campaigns with the KORZOK school exercise would not require them to write Tourism On 20th November 2002, we reached children and have also attended pasturage and fluctuating market trends or read or fill any forms and it would be During our third day of the stay, we saw of their livestock produce have increased Samad around 10 pm. It took us five environment educational courses. Now The tourist season coincides with the more like an informal interaction. He the nomadic families from Ponganagu their livelihood vulnerability. Since hours to drive from the KORZOK they have garbage stored and burnt at nesting and breeding time of many agreed and promised us to arrange the campsite starting to move towards the Pashmina from goats sell for a good settlement. We crossed back the regular intervals. migratory birds to the Tsomoriri wetlands meeting around 3pm in the afternoon Samad settlement as part of their yearly cash price, the locals have started Namshang la and climbed another migration cycle. After celebrating their every year. Tourists driving down till the when the graziers started to come back preferring and rearing more goats than mountain pass the Pologonkola to reach new year these families were supposed EMERGING ISSUES wetland cause much noise and harm. from the higher pastures with their sheep and hence it raises more the Samad Settlement. to move out of Samad to the Startsapuk The problem of solid waste and water livestock. Tsomoriri is a water body, which every questions regarding the pastureland Tso wetlands for another three months or pollution is becoming serious with the Next day morning, we approached the Changpa relates to if not in concrete ecology around the Tsomoriri wetlands. The group meeting was arranged in a so. increasing number tourists arrivals in the people living in the settlement and terms of religion or resource use, then Many of the older generation do not think livestock pen. Most families turned up region. discovered that most of the families were We walked with the migrating families definitely as a part of the environment it is a positive sign, because for them and arrived with their portable spindles. at Ponganagu nomadic campsite with After a brief introduction, a resource map and discussed about their pasture they live in. They have conserved the sheep is much more hardy than goats. The local herders say in the last nine their livestock. The people present the was drawn by them with their pasture conditions and the various factors wetlands through their regulatory land years, they have not earned much from 50 According to the people, their need for settlement were mostly old aged who locations, water sources, campsites and affecting the growth of grasses around 51 management for a long time. tourism and it is only travel agents from cash has risen and they say, "If we do have retired from their nomadic life. They the wetlands. People also made flow chart diagrams while they were taking submerged traditional nesting and Regul Tso was a source for collecting salt LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES demand for market goods have created Tsokar or ? short rests from time to time and breeding sites of water birds. till four years back, but after an increase an imbalance in their incomes and The Samad group of herders in the discussed about the growing physical During the first group meeting while in the water level, it has been difficult to expenditures. As one man puts it -“all pressure on their pasturelands due to Traditionally the local people hunt eggs extract the salt. Patza, a frothy layer Changthang region are predominantly drawing a resource map on the 'our' products are becoming cheaper and tourism etc. They also showed us the of Bar-headed Geese and catch fish in found over the surface of the lake water dependent on pastoral pursuits for their ground, the herders of Samad didn't market products are becoming tourism campsites overlapping with their the Startsapuk Tso lake. The people say is also used as an ingredient in various livelihoods. Their dependence on refer to the popular wetland known as expensive”. Their need to buy market pasture locations and water sources. that these incidents have relatively traditional medicinal preparations and is recently cultivated land in the Nuruchen Tsokar. Since it is a big geographical goods are increasing: -Barley -Wheat - slowed down after local budhist monks primarily sold in the Leh town. The is considered negligible by them. Since children carry a different landmark, we asked about its requested the locals not to hunt and fish livestock also drink the water from the Rice -Sugar -Refined cooking oil -Spices whereabouts. Herders said there is perception and likely to give direction to in the lake. Regul Tso occasionally for their salt They rear livestock like sheep, goats and -Butter -Fodder -Shoes -Medicines - nothing like Tsokar lake or basin. The the future of the community, we also intake. yaks. Produce from their livestock like Clothes -Veterinary treatments whereas conducted a small PR exercise with lakes are called Regul and Amongst mammals there are Kiang- the meat, hides, hair and wool are sold or the informal trade of pashmina hair is them. We held a preference ranking Startsapukh and the separation Himalayan wild ass, Shangkhu- Tibetan There are 3 main water streams, which bartered in exchange of cultivable growing to be non beneficial to them. exercise with them about various between them is called Tso-Aar, Wolf, Pheya- Marmots, Watsey, Yee, feed these wetlands. Chemur and produce and other goods. The barter Beside a large amount of their cash occupations and their interest in carrying meaning a kind of path between the Shawa, Rebong and Ridaks who live in Nagchuthang feed Startaspukh whereas exchange of their animal goods is very income is spent on traveling to the Leh on traditional pastoral livelihoods. two water bodies. According to them, the vicinity of these wetlands. It is the Pongonagu is the main feeding stream rare in present times and most of the town by hiring private transport in the Tsokar is erroneously interpreted and Tibetan Wolf which is sighted regularly for the Regul Tso. Beside these, there trade is now cash driven. Before leaving on the morning of 24th, a only used by outsiders. around the wetlands, while the Tibetan are a number of underground springs, absence of any regular public transport. group meeting was organised to share Gazelle, considered now to be extinct which feed these wetlands. For most part For all the market or cash exchange, The trends to borrow money from private the information that had emerged out of (here), was last seen some 40 years of a year, herders depend on these they are dependent on the pashmina hair History of wetlands traders (who come to buy sheep wool our participatory exercises at the Samad ago. streams for meeting their drinking water because of its high cash value. It fetches settlement. People showed great interest needs, washing and cooking purposes. them Rs 1,000 to 1,500 per kg whereas and pashmina hair) is becoming frequent Changpas who are the local to have a copy of the report once it was During the exercise it was found that the The dependence on two recently sheep wool is relatively sold at a very low and rearing more pashmina goats as inhabitants narrate the history of complete. local people perform retaliatory killings of installed hand pumps in the Samad price. Traditionally the sheep wool had a compared to sheep to maximize cash these wetlands. According to the predators and there are incidents of settlement is relatively less. high value for economic/barter exchange income is also witnessed. According to legend, once the Tsokar basin was full REGUL TSO AND STARTSAPUK TSO hunting Tibetan Wolves in the region. because the sheep wool was used to the nomadic families, the cash demand of water and it was only after a giant SAMAD SETLEMENT These people consider Tibetan wolf to be make local clothing, shoes, rugs, carpets Regul Tso and TStartsapuk Tso wetlands devil drank water from this basin that is inevitable everyone wants to build a menace which stalks them. It is said and other goods. Now with the increased are four to five hours drive away from the it went dry. The devil then threw some According to 2001 census, Samad has a permanent houses, educate children, that the Wolves are generally sighted in availability of market goods the Leh town after crossing the Thaglang la of the water towards the KORZOK, population of 509 in 89 households. Most have access to modern medicines and packs of 7 to 10 and a single attack by of the time in a year, people live in traditional value of sheep wool is pass, on the Manali- Leh highway which which turned into Tsomoriri and treatment in the city etc.. them kills a number of livestock. It is nomadic tents. Their houses in vicinity of incredibly reduced. The produce from connects this part of Changthang to rest Thazang karu wetlands, and the when their precious animals like yaks the Regul Tso, are used mostly to store yaks like milk, hides and hair have The increased uncertainities around the of Ladakh. They can also be approached Starspapukh and Regul Tso, were and horses are killed by the wolf attacks goods. Herders seldom live in these traditionally been kept for local use and pastoral occupation have made the through the Mahe bridge by crossing formed by the rest of the water which that herders hunt back these wolves. houses. They say that the number of not sold. The yak hair is used in making Pologonkala, a mountain pass. These came out of the devil's nostrils. They kill these animals by setting up houses are increasing in the settlement or repairing nomadic tents, while the yak wetlands are located at an altitude of Fluctuating market trends! traps and wish to acquire guns to hunt 4,600 metres and are the highest as there are many nomadic families who wool is used for making rugs and these animals. On the other hand, the have started to spend relatively more wetlands in the Changthang region. Zalmo, Chagaratze and Kongmo which carpets. While talking to herders about sale of come here to nest and breed. Amongst high Himalayan wild ass is not killed for time in these dwellings since school, pashmina hair, herders complained of The meat from sheep and goats also Both these wetlands are fed mostly by all, the Bar-headed Geese is the most unknown reasons but is considered a fodder storage and medical facilities are private pashmina traders who have help a household to earn cash income. underground springs and three big water frequent visitor to these wetlands while growing pressure on the limited pasture only available around the settlement not quoted a good price this year and The surplus livestock is sold to visiting streams. The nomadic families say that the Black-necked crane is seen most resources because it also feeds on the they could not sell pahsmina hair. Samad also shares its land resources butchers every year. It is considered as a water of Startsapuk Tso also flow into seldom. According to a famous local same habitat as their livestock. According to these traders, the price with 22 households of Tibetan refugees, good source of cash income as it fetches Regul Tso at certain times of the year, belief, the black-necked crane is also Therefore, these animals are generally of pashmina has really gone down in who migrated from Tibet in the year a good amount of cash for each despite the fact that Regul Tso is a considered as a low-standard bird, none scare away to farther areas, in order to the Chinese markets where pashmina 1959. household with each animal selling for brackish waterbody, whereas Startsapuk could recall the reason for such an save the pastures for their livestock procured from them and taken for more than Rs 1,500 or so. Tso's water is sweet. opinion and attributed it to inherited grazing. sale. Herders of Samad are still connotations. SAMAD: holding on to their pashmina produce These wetlands are famous for being WATER RESOURCES Expenditure pattern of Total number of households 89 this year. Its been a difficult year, home to a number of endangered flora According to them, a recent rise in water at Samad households The water of Regul Tso is brackish and because in the absence of enough and fauna. According to the people, levels of the Startsapuk Tso lake has Total population 509 not appropriate for drinking, whereas An ever-fluctuating market price of the cash, they could not buy other these wetlands attract rare migratory benefited growth of fishes, algae etc. But Male 266 Startsapuk Tso is a fresh water lake and Female 243 essentials like barley, wheat, rice, 52 water birds like Brahmini ducks, Bar- this rise in water level has unfortunately pashmina hair and their increasing 53 lentils, sugar, cooking oil etc. headed Geese, Black-necked Cranes, the water is drunk by the local people. Source: Leh District Records, 2002 herders wish for a sedentary life. In Occupation Preference: Samad herders used to visit Skakyung important pasture sites for this time of the Fight for Salt! 1.3 Livestock future, they want to cultivate land around Occupation Preference pastures in Tibet for winter grazing and year is Ponganagu, close to the main ranking the wetlands and few households are the pastures around Regul tso and 15 years ago a fight between the feeding stream to Regul Tso. On an average, the number of livestock Livestock rearing 1 interested to invest in guest houses and Startsapuk Tso wetlands were grazed by Kharnek and Samad Changpas owned by each household is Chospa 2 The main summer pastures are far away restaurants for tourism business by the Kharnek livestock. erupted over salt. According to the approximately 100. Predominantly it is Shepherd labour 3 from these wetlands. For accessing selling their animals. Samad herders ,the Kharnek herders sheep and goats, with a sprinkling of Cultivation 4 After 1962, the Samad herders had to these summer pastures herders cross stole salt from the Tso. It led to a huge yaks and horses, reared by every herder Other labour 5 stay back and graze their animals around the Manali-Leh highway and many a fight between two parties when the family. There is a conflict between opportunities Regul tso during the winter months. time, camp very close to the road itself. On changing livelihoods Kharnek herders convinced government records and what herders Touirsm 6 Kharnek herders objected to this shift. government officials to secure their mention about the livestock population Samad herders claim that the pastures During most of the year, the Tibetan With the grown uncertainities around access and ownership over the trends. The government census shows a LAND USE AROUND THE around the wetlands are owned by them refugee herders move separately from their pastoral pursuits, herders do not wetlands. The fight was so serious steady increase in the number of animals WETLANDS and had been handed over to the the Samad herders. These herders also want their children to herd livestock that the Jammu and Kashmir police in Samad, although herders refute it. Kharnek herders for grazing temporarily, move closer to the Starsapukh wetlands and want them to get educated and had to intervene. On the suggestions According to them, with inadequate while they took their animals through for during the winter months, but their camp have jobs. They also want to cultivate 1 Pastoral Use of a local leader Sonam Wangyl, an pasturage available for their livestock, it grazing to Tibet. sites are located relatively far off from the land as many herders say that they agreement was done and it was shores. is a doubtful proposition that livestock want water, fencing, seed of 1.1 Pasture rights After a long fight stretching over years, decided that the Kharnek herders can size is increasing. Nyugpa/Nus/shenma and green the Samad herders have reclaimed most collect 700 battis (1400 Kgs) of salt Changes in the Nomadic movements : According to Leh district records, all houses to grow vegetables. of their pastures, except the Zara from the Tso in exchange for Tolu pasturelands in Changthang region Post 1962 Tibetan Refugees pasturelands, which are grazed by both (wood used to make roof). It was also "We want to save money and also belong to the government and the the communities. These pastures are decided that salt would be left at Zara Till forty years back, all the Samad invest in livestock rearing but do not There are 23 households of Tibetan customary rights of the herders are not located relatively far off from the pastures, and the Kharnek herders herders migrated to Tibet every year for want a nomadic lifestyle. We want to refugees who also share the same considered legal. The government wetlands and constitute autumn would not be allowed to collect it from three months in the winter times. Herders settle down," is what most locals say. resources. Herders in Samad have documents term these pasturelands as pastures, close to Manali-Leh highway. the Rigul Tso directly. recall an abundance of winter grasses in They also said, "We want to keep made certain rules and regulations for 'barren' land whereas the nomadic their Tibetan pastures and their livestock Thaglang-la open during winter times b. Over Salt extraction: the Tibetan families to adhere with. families are not aware of such a legal stayed healthy grazing those pastures. so that we can have an year round 1.2 Nomadic Movements They have to restrict their livestock status of their pasturelands and assume Another burning issue of inter-community After the 1962 war, access to these access to Leh and other facilities and holding to 25-30 animals per head. a traditional control over their resources. conflict is salt extraction. The Samad Their present nomadic movements are pastures was restricted as the border even the tourists can come to visit They can add more animals if a new Building of Manali-Leh highway and herders started extracting salt from the spread around these two wetlands. between India and China remained us". child is born. A refugee cannot rear other civic infrastructure are not southern shores of Rigul Tso some 15 to During winter months between closed for all purposes. As a result, their more that 5 yaks and 5 horses at a perceived to be any breach of customary 20 years back. Before salt extraction November and April, all the herder nomadic movements got tremendously time. These rules have been in force land tenure. began from the Rigul tso, the locals families move to the pastures spread restricted and they had to restrain Other Income Opportunities: since 1962. collected salt from the Medum Tso in closer to the two water bodies whereas With a history of losing out their pastures themselves towards Indian side and Tibet and it was coordinated with their their summer migrations are relatively far Besides a great deal of shepherd labour to Tibet, the herders of Samad are survive on limited pastures available yearly migration to winter pastures in off from these water bodies. It is available within the community, herders cautious of losing anymore of their around the Regul and Stratsapukh Tso. Tibet (now china). interesting to see that their movements do not have many other ways to earn pasturelands. There have been inter Herders say that the number of yaks do not coincide with the nesting and Sendentarization cash. Few households find work as road- community conflicts in the past over the Following the post war restriction to found in Samad are relatively more than breeding time in summer months of the building labour or go to the Leh town for limited pasture resources around these access their winter pastures in Tibet, the There are also changes in the nomadic KORZOK because apparently the migratory birds and are also regulated by other jobs as labourers in summer times. wetlands since any more loss of their locals had to buy salt from Leh and movements after herders have shown habitat around Rigul Tso and Startsapuk local rules and regualtions. One household has bought a sewing pastures can be detrimental to their Manali before they discovered salt in the interest in building houses at the Samad Tso are more suitable for yak grazing. machine and makes shoes and repairs livelihoods. Regul Tso and fenced off the area. After celebrating Losar in the winters, all settlement. From the last 10 years, Yaks prefer marshy, flat wetlands clothes for the other households. herders spend more time in their built compared to slopes (Camille Richards, Normally the salt would be collected herder families move to the Startsapuk 1.1.1 Inter community conflict houses, before leaving for the Startsapuk Rangeland specialist, pers. commn) and Chospa, holy prayers are also performed during September and October by the Tso and divide themselves into sub- over limited natural resources: Tso wetlands for winter grazing. Tsokar basin provides this environment. by a few households as a source of local people. The salt was also carried to groups by scattering themselves around income. the pastures of Startsapuk Tso so that all According to them they spend between Zanskar valley and the Leh town for Out of all the animal produce, it is the a. Over Pastures: one to two weeks in the settlement barter trade, where it was exchanged for their livestock get enough to eat, without Although in a preference scoring and pashmina hair from goats, which brings over-grazing a particular area. While whereas earlier it was only one or two The Samad herders have a history of Barley or cash. them hard cash. Other animal produce ranking exercise, herders identified moving in and out of winter pastures, days. This has surely affected the conflict with Kharnek, a neighouring are for self-consumption or for bartering livestock rearing as still the most From the past four years or so, due to a they also spend some time grazing pasture conditions around their pastoral community over the use of agricultural produce with their important livelihood income for them. rise on water level of the Regul Tso no around Regul Tso. One of the most settlements close to the Regul Tso. 54 pasturelands. Till 40 years back, the neighbouring communities. 55 salt has been extracted from the Tso. Annual Migratory route: Winter grass decline around Natural calamities Name of Village 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 Startsapuk Tso Goats Sheep Goats Sheep Goats Sheep Goats Sheep On asking about traditional risk management practices against natural Samad 3924 2658 5382 3651 3775 6410 7529 4030 While ranking ‘winter grasses’ decline calamities, herders said ,that earlier they used to keep a large number of

Department of Sheep Husbandry-Nyoma , Leh district,2002 around Startsapuk Tso, herders livestock so that they were always left with some stocks to build back from, after marked the decline in following order: a natural calamity. The larger numbers were possible to rear because of the The value of sheep wool, once the most 1.3.2 Livestock preference The herders know of 21 kinds of grasses Shyot vast amount of pasturelands available to them. Now they do not have a large sought after wool for trading for cultivable (list is annexed) which are available to Sewoo and Pang livestock and have to depend on outside/government support during these With the changing market value for produce, has declined dramatically with their livestock spread around these Jamak calamities. During a natural calamity, relief takes time to get to them, which can livestock produce, the livestock the changing market value. Similarly, wetlands. They say, it is the pang grass, Longma be disastrous for them and their animals. Usually one of them have to cross composition reared by the Samad yak's hair, which was used to make tents, which is the most abundant, followed by Nyargal Thaglang-la and reach Leh on foot to inform authorities about the disaster. herders is also changing. The herders face competition from white parachute Gyapshen, Trama and Jamak whereas There are no emergency plans by government to deal with such natural say they would prefer to rear more sheep tents now. Samday and Trolo are the most rare calamities. The support is in the form of fodder, animals, food, blankets, tents, due to its ability to withstand extreme kinds. In pair-wise ranking, herders pastureland, faced a severe shortage of clothes etc. which are welcome. Herders referred to the last natural calamity in 1.3.1 Livestock population trend climates and use of its meat for revealed that their livestock prefer winter grasses. The herders also October 1998, when a sudden spell of snowfall had killed 70 per cent of their consumption. While making yearly trends for livestock Nyargal over other grasses like Sewoo, interpret it as a decline in productivity of livestock. The government then had distributed: - fodder and grasses. They size over the last few years, herders But an increasing market value for goat Jamak, and pang whereas shot and their pastures. According to them, their had also received help from Leh-based NGOs like Apt Tibet, Leh Nutritional perceived a marked variance in animal products like pashmina hair are forcing Umbang (which also double up as fuel livestock health was much better in days Project and Women’s alliance. The NGOs had given tent, blankets, stove, hand numbers from the 1980s to present days: them to rear more goats. Since the wood) are least preferred by their gone by. Livestock looked bigger and gloves, clothes and snow goggles to each household. pashmina hair fetches them 10 times animals. stronger, but now they are susceptible to l The 1980s show normal number of According to herders, government or NGO support during such calamities have more money than the sheep wool, diseases. animals, followed by a sharp decline Winter pastures which are located close become necessary and important for their livestock as they do not have enough herders have started rearing more goats to register very low numbers in to Stastsapukh wetlands are abundant To compensate for the lost forage, the livestock to recuperate from, after an attack of drought or massive snowfall. than sheep. The livestock preference 1990. This was preceded by a with longma, pang, shyot, jamak, sewoo, herders with the help of the Sheep scoring and ranking is found that herders severe drought in the region. nyargal, and umbang grasses. Some of husbandry department ,Nyoma has preferred goats over sheep, and yaks these grasses like umbang double up as selected a tract of land for winter fodder The Department of Sheep husbandry trekkers who spend more than 6 days on l In 1995, the numbers rose high over horses. fuel wood also. cultivation in Nuruchen, Located on the also distribute subsidised feed to all the average here whereas the tourists following a good season. southern shores of the Regul Tso. The herders every year. The herders also buy coming on the Jeep etc. spend less than 1.4 Grasses The Samad herders faces a great harvest does not meet the entire fodder the feed from open market to meet their three days. They both camp around the l 1998 saw a sharp decline in shortage of the winter grasses for their need of the livestock and the herders livestock needs. In tough times, livestock wetlands. To the herders, tourists come livestock numbers, due to foot-and- The herders understand that their livestock. As one man said, it is only the have to depend on the other sources as are also fed on the household dry rations here to watch birds and mammals and to mouth disease caused by heavy pasturelands are located in such a way first 10 days in winter months which are well. of barley especially during the times of camp close to the wetlands. Initially, the rains and snowfall. that grasses and water are not readily good for their animals to graze in these natural calamities like a drought or a herders were scared of these outsiders, available to their animals, unless they pastures, after that, it is a struggle for the l Since then the numbers have been heavy snowfall. as tourists in large numbers would often regularly move. In order to balance the animals, he added. Therefore normally Kyangs help for Winter feed! looking up till 2000. In 2002, the arrive on motorcycles in the night. use of grass and water, they extensively the animal feed is augmented by number has again gone down with While talking to herders about how migrate around the region, using a keen stocking up through private buying and 2 Tourism not enough snowfall. they fulfill their fodder need in winter For the last two years, the Samad perception and knowledge of grass also by the feed made available by the months, a few herders mentioned how The wetlands attract a number of tourists herders have started collecting a fee for Fluctuating livestock size is a natural resource distribution. government. The herders feel that the they used to regularly collect Kyang every year now. According to the camping and trekking horse grazing. phenomenon in the Changthang region, availability of winter grasses is further According to the herders, most grasses droppings to feed their animals. This is herders, tourists started coming here They assign two men from the as many of the herders put it. Because declining due to water scarcity as their around the wetlands are seasonal, a traditional practice to provide extra about 15 years ago. Since then, their community to go and guard the pastures the Changthang region has an extreme water sources have relatively less water. barring a few perennial ones. Grass feed to their animals, which is a numbers have been on the increase. from insensitive camping and grazing climate and after every two or three The herders found that their summer distribution also depends on the common practice in the whole of Most of the tourists arrive in summer and collect camping fees. They also years, it faces droughts or sudden pastures are abundant with grasses as availability of water and soil conditions. Changthang region. But since the months, between June and September. direct tourist groups to camps at snowfalls. According to the herders, they get sufficient fresh green grasses Grasses found on hill slopes are different government started making extra feed There are two kinds of tourist who arrive particular places. The assigned fee is Rs droughts are much more frequent than during these times. compared to the ones available on the available every year, the practice is here –One kind of tourist comes on 30 per tent and Rs 20 per horse. Last heavy snowfalls. During these times, year, locals collected a total sum of Rs plains. There are only few grasses which 1.4.1 Shortage of winter grasses dying out. Herders infact now motorized vehicles like livestock mortality goes up steeply and are available both at plains and hill complain of the increased number of Jeep/motorcycles/bicycle and second 2,000 and have handed over this money the number is replenished only after a slopes and the distribution of grasses The Samad herders lost their crucial Kyangs and accuse them of using up category is of trekkers who come with the to the monastery. They have not yet good season. often decides where animals are grazed winter pasture resources after the Indo- their scarce winter pastures, close to pack animals and porters etc. According decided on how to use this tourism 56 57 and when. China war in 1962 and with a large the wetlands. to herders, it is the second category or income. Tibetan refugees influx to their shrunken According to the Samad herders, l We are not strong as a community. changed drastically over the last four Samad herders want to settle down or practices. Since herders do not get any winter tourism, so that they can benefit following are their concern vis a vis decades. Due to shrunken pasturage, perform agriculture. That will have a compensation for the death of their from tourism the year round. At present, Despite all these problems, the herders tourism: their dependence on the pastures around further impact on the wetland ecology. At livestock, they are angry with tourism does not bring large benefits to want tourism to be a source of income. these wetlands have increased. present, water sources are also shared government wildlife officials for wanting Samad herders and is considered 1. Inappropriate garbage disposal, They want to accrue tourism benefits and Accommodating 22 households of with seasonal tourists and the army post. them to stop killing Wolves. They expect degrading for the conservation of their polluting their wetlands and for that many herders propose to make Tibetan refugees on the already- The sources also suffer from serious government to support them in killing pasture resources. Although a number of pastures. They point to the death of hotels and restaurants close to the shrunken resources have increased garbage and pollution issues. Herders these wolves, rather than conserving herders in Samad have shown interest to a yak who once ate plastic garbage wetlands, as tourists would have like pressure on the meagre resources. The want their pastures to be irrigated to them. organize themselves with the help of and died on the spot. recent influx of tourists and army has increase its productivity and similarly WWF-India to plan tourism activities Unfriendly Tourism further put pressure on the available they want to develop irrigation facilities around these wetlands. 2. There is no defined road or trail, so Fighting exercise grounds! tourist vehicles race around their natural resources. Therefore in the for cultivation of fodder crops. The only The issues like trampling of the grass Fear of relocation pastures and trample precious At one point in the past, the wetland present context the various issues source of water to do these activities is resources, inappropriate garbage grass. Herders say grasses now area was used for a massive army pertaining to sustainable resource use the feeding streams of the wetlands. disposal mechanisms and non-inclusion Herders do not want the wetland areas to smell of petrol and diesel and their exercise for stationed at around the wetlands are the: of the local community in benefit sharing become military exercise grounds and Livestock-wildlife conflict livestock cannot eat them. Ladakh. The southern shores of are the predominant concern of the want to protect these wetlands against it. Shrunken pasturage According to them, Kedang and Startsapuk Tso were used extensively Livestock depredation by Tibetan wolf is community. They want to accrue benefits Despite promises to the contrary, the Gyapshen grasses have been to conduct such exercises. It included After an influx of Tibetan refugees in quite common around the wetlands, as from tourism but in the absence of proper community retains the fear of military affected the most. aerial exercises which had scared 1959 and closure of access to winter well as retaliatory killings of Wolves by planning and dencentralised means , exercises. They know if the problem livestock away, forcing them to run pastures in Tibet, the Samad herders the locals. Killings by Tibetan wolf put they are unable to do so. Herders also persists, they might have to relocate 3. Tourists arriving on foot come with haywire causing a few injuries. have faced a serious shortage of winter tremendous pressure on their livestock want Thaglang- la to remain open for themselves to some other place. packhorses. These horses graze on According to herders, they had grasses. Their perception about their pasture sites. protested against such an exercise in decreasing grass productivity around the Leh and after that army has stopped 4. Camping close to water sources by wetlands is corroborated in the form of the exercises. Although for months tourists and cooking, washing and declining livestock health. The herders after the exercise was over, herders defecation by them lead to serious want to increase the cultivable land kept on collecting unexploded bomb problems of pollution to their already around the wetlands to grow fodder shells that killed their livestock and meagre water sources. crops in order to sustain their livestock injured herders. during the tough winter months. 5. Tourist guides do not cooperate Changing Pastoral Practices and do not pay camping fees. such locations. They are interested to Guides accuse them of being construct metalled roads, camping sites According to the herders, shrunken backward and poor, and not keeping with parking facilities around the pasturage has a direct effect on the the area clean. The Samad herders wetlands. livestock rearing practices. In contrast to face more abuse from the guides of large flock of livestock per household, Leh, , etc while 3 Army Camps herders have started to prefer a smaller they find the guides from Manali and flock, preferably of pashmina goats, Spiti more cooperative. At present, there is only one army post, since the cash inflow from pashmina which is located on a hillock near the 6. Bad habits like cigarette smoking selling can be exchanged for other Samad settlement. The local herders find have been picked up by the herders market goods. The changing livestock no negative impact of such an army post. of Samad. composition reared by Samad herders On the other hand, they appreciate the raises questions about the ecological 7. Tourists take their pictures without subsidised goods they receive from them impact on the pastures around the permission and do not pay them. which save their expensive trip to the wetlands. Leh town. The herders only fear the army On asking the reasons for not trying to exercises which have killed and injured Pressure on Water Sources save their pastures from the harmful their livestock in the past. tourism activities, they say: Samad households meet their water requirements by prudently managing EMERGING ISSUES l Their headman is not strong their halts at various water sources, as part of their nomadic lifestyle. Water l Having less herders, as many have The dynamics of resource use around 58 scarcity will emerge as a major issue, if 59 migrated to Leh the Startsapuk Tso and Regul Tso have Annex II Introducing Ecotourism & Sustainable Tourism Certification in Ladakh A Feasibility Study Report

OCTOBER 2003

Prepared by

ECOWORKS FOUNDATION, INDIA

Prepared for

WWF-India

61 Table Of Contents 3 FINDINGS ...... 12 3.1 Introduction...... 12 TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... 1 3.2 Existing Ecotourism and Similar Packages ...... 12 LIST OF COMMONLY USED ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, SHORT FORMS & EXPLANATION OF SELECTED TERMS ...... 3 3.2.1 Ecotourism – Not Yet...... 12

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 4 3.2.2 Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC)’s Initiative on Community-based Tourism ...... 12

1 BACKGROUND ...... 5 3.2.3 Culture-oriented tourism...... 12

1.1 Genesis ...... 5 3.3 Feedback on Ecotourism Certification...... 13

1.2 Objective...... 5 3.3.1 Tour Operator Perspective & Response...... 13

1.3 Scope ...... 5 3.3.2 NGO / Stakeholder Perspective & Response...... 13

1.4 Methodology & Timeframe...... 5 3.3.3 Government Perspective & Response ...... 13

1.5 Structure of the Feasibility Report ...... 6 3.3.4 Observations from the Site Visit ...... 13

1.6 Accompanying Feasibility Report ...... 6 3.4 Feedback on Sustainable Tourism Certification...... 14

1.7 Limitations ...... 6 3.4.1 Tour Operator Perspective & Response...... 14

2 OVERVIEW ON ECOTOURISM & SUSTAINABLE CERTIFICATION ...... 7 3.4.2 NGO / Stakeholder Perspective ...... 15

2.1 Introduction...... 7 3.4.3 Government Perspective / Response...... 16

2.2 Definitions...... 7 4 CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 17

2.2.1 Ecotourism...... 7 4.1 Introduction...... 17

2.2.2 Sustainable Tourism ...... 7 4.2 Ecotourism Certification Scheme Not Viable, but piloting Ecotourism packages viable...... 17

2.2.3 Ecotourism Vs Sustainable Tourism...... 8 4.2.1 Not enough Ecotours for a Certification Scheme ...... 17

2.2.4 Certification...... 8 4.2.2 Developing Pilot Ecotourism packages ...... 17

2.2.5 Ecotourism Certification...... 8 4.3 Sustainable Tourism Certification Scheme Viable ...... 17

2.2.6 Sustainable Tourism Certification ...... 8 4.3.1 Proceeding with Sustainable Tourism Certification ...... 17

2.3 Global Scenario / Experience ...... 9 4.3.2 Developing a Home-grown Scheme...... 18

2.3.1 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, 1992...... 9 4.3.3 Characteristics of the Scheme...... 18 2.3.2 International Year of Ecotourism, 2002 ...... 9 4.3.4 Introducing and administering the scheme...... 19 2.4 Indian Scenario / Experience...... 9 4.3.5 Costs / revenue model for the Scheme ...... 20 2.4.1 Ecotourism and sustainable tourism in India...... 9 ANNEXURE A...... GOI NEW TOURISM POLICY – 14 PRINCIPLES 21 2.4.2 Government of India (GoI)’s New Tourism Policy...... 10 ANNEXURE B...... LIST OF PRIMARY MEETINGS CONDUCTED 23 2.4.3 Substantial increase in Plan outlay for tourism development...... 10 ANNEXURE CLIST OF FUNCTIONING ECOTOURISM & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CERTIFICATION PROGRAMMES IN 2.4.4 International Year of Ecotourism in India...... 10 THE WORLD...... 24

2.4.5 Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Certification in India ...... 10 ANNEXURE D ...... LIST OF REFERENCES 25

2.4.6 Other Environmental Certifications in India 62 ...... 11 63

2.4.7 Successful certification scheme – Lessons from the Indian experience...... 11 LIST OF COMMONLY USED ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, SHORT FORMS appreciation and realization of the need between August and September 2002. findings and recommendations should be & EXPLANATION OF SELECTED TERMS 1.3 Scope to conserve their ecology, culture and This report was finalised in October seen as based on whatever information DC District Commissioner social practices when compared to other The scope of this study was restricted to 2003. has been collected within this timeframe. GoI Government of India regions in India. Therefore, there is a determining the feasibility of an The other limitation was that the one- ISO International Organisation of Standards greater chance that a sustainable ecotourism or sustainable tourism 1.5 Structure of the week visit to Ladakh was undertaken J & K Jammu & Kashmir tourism certification scheme will be certification scheme for tour operators in during the end of a fairly poor tourist Feasibility Report LAHDC Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council successful in Ladakh. The study provides Ladakh. The scope did not include season. In fact, the current year 2002 LEDeg Ladakh Ecological Development Group some directions on how a sustainable environmental certification of forests or was one where the tourist arrivals were MoEF Ministry of Environment & Forests The main text of this report has four NGO Non-Governmental Organisation tourism certification scheme should be national parks or other ecosensitive chapters. This first chapter gives the particularly poor. This was due to the UNEP United Nations Environment Programme developed and introduced in Ladakh. areas. The scope did not also include background to the feasibility study. The prevailing political tensions along the SECMOL Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh certification of hotels, restaurants and second chapter presents an overview of Indo-Pak border and the aftermath of the SLC Snow Leopard Conservancy 1 Background other service providers in the tourism ecotourism and sustainable tourism 11 September 2003 incidents in US. As TAAL Travel Agents Association of Ladakh sector. certification. The third chapter discusses not many tourists were present at the TIES The International Ecotourism Society time of the visit, the impacts caused by WAL Women’s Alliance of Ladakh 1.1 Genesis The terms associated with tourism the findings and analyses the same. And, the tourists were not physically evident. WTO World Tourism Organisation certification are mass tourism the last chapter includes the study WWF World Wide Fund for Nature WWF-India initiated a major conservation But the feedback received during the certification, ecotourism certification and recommendations. The report includes a project of High Altitude Wetlands of meetings / discussions (not as much the sustainable tourism certification. In the one-page executive summary. There are EXECUTIVE SUMMARY socially and culturally responsible Ladakh in 1999 with support from the physical observations) formed the basis context of Ladakh / this study, mass Annexures that provide information to manner.” Both these concepts are firmly global WWF network. Three of the support the main text. The primary of the understanding of the ecological, WWF-India initiated a major conservation tourism covering businesses with a established in the developed world, and largest and more vulnerable wetlands of meetings conducted, the list of social and cultural impacts caused by project of High Altitude Wetlands of mass market or conventional tourism is programmes / initiatives in many Ladakh Tsomoriri, Tsokar and Pangong references used in drafting and finalising tourists in Ladakh. Ladakh in 1999 with support from the not relevant. Hence, this was not countries have been successfully Tso were chosen for focused this report, the list of functioning global WWF network. Three of the included in the scope. Both ecotourism implemented. These include ecotourism conservation efforts. In addressing the certification programmes in the world and 2 OVERVIEW ON largest and more vulnerable wetlands of and sustainable tourism were covered in and sustainable tourism certification challenges in these three wetlands and the 14 principles of the GoI's New Ladakh – Tsomoriri, Tsokar and Pangong the study and in this report. ECOTOURISM & schemes as well. However, in the Indian also realising the conservation Tourism Policy form the Annexures. Tso – were chosen for focused context, there are only a few ecotourism significance of Ladakh as a whole, WWF- SUSTAINABLE conservation efforts. In addressing the 1.4 Methodology & initiatives, no specific sustainable tourism India recognised the need to consider 1.6 Accompanying CERTIFICATION challenges in these three wetlands and initiatives and no certification schemes. certain other initiatives to support its Timeframe also realising the conservation focused conservation efforts. One of the Feasibility Report significance of Ladakh as a whole, WWF- As a part of the study, a number of 2.1 Introduction identified initiatives was the promotion of The feasibility study included three India recognised the need to consider meetings with tour operators, NGOs / distinct stages: (i) secondary research on This feasibility report forms one part of ecotourism and sustainable tourism This chapter provides an overview of certain other initiatives to support its stakeholders and Government agencies ecotourism and sustainable tourism and the two-part study conducted. In the certification schemes for tour operators ecotourism, sustainable tourism & focused conservation efforts. One of were undertaken. In general, the Ladakh, (ii) visit to Ladakh (Leh, same timeframe and in parallel, the to subscribe. This can be used to control certification approaches, the global these initiatives is the promotion of feedback was positive. There was Tsomoriri & Tsokar) & meetings and (iii) feasibility of undertaking the assessment the pressures / impacts caused by the scenario and the Indian scenario in ecotourism and sustainable tourism overwhelming support for introducing report drafting and finalisation. The study of all of Ladakh's development policies, tour operators on these wetlands and relation to these concepts. certification schemes for tour operators. both ecotourism and sustainable tourism programmes, practices and institutions in other ecologically sensitive areas. Given did not have a quantitative-orientation. Realising that this can be an effective concepts in Ladakh. The study revealed the tourism sector and the other sectors that 2002 has been declared as the For instance, it was not intended to way of controlling the pressures / impacts that it is premature to introduce was also carried out. This assessment 2.2 Definitions International Year of Ecotourism, WWF- determine the percentage of tour caused by the visiting tourists on these ecotourism certification as there are no operators who will be favourably focused on measures that will be India found it appropriate to initiate this Given that terms associated with tourism wetlands and other ecologically sensitive ecotourism packages being offered by disposed to ecotourism or sustainable required in the various sectors in order to feasibility study. certification tend to be used differently in areas, WWF-India initiated this feasibility tour operators. But the potential to tourism. No questionnaires or surveys ensure that the impact on Ladakh's various parts of the world, this section study. Given that 2002 was the United introduce ecotourism packages exists were conducted as a part of the study. ecology is reduced. 1.2 Objective provides the definitions of the key terms Nations International Year of Ecotourism, and needs to be harnessed. With the The discussions were purely qualitative and clarify how these have been used in the conduct of this study had added technical support from the NGOs working in nature. Three categories of people 1.7 Limitations The primary objective of the feasibility the context of this study / report. significance. on conservation issues, there is clearly study was to determine whether or not were met during the study: (i) tour The study was done over a two-month Wherever necessary, a brief analysis scope for tour operators to develop and ecotourism and sustainable tourism operators, (ii) NGOs / stakeholders and Ecotourism is “responsible travel to period and included a one-week visit to follows the definition. offer ecotourism packages. On the other certification can be introduced in Ladakh. (iii) Government representatives. natural areas that conserves the Ladakh. Every effort has been taken to hand, the study revealed that the timing If feasible, the related objective was to Feedback obtained from them formed 2.2.1 Ecotourism environment, and improve the welfare of collect as much information as possible is right to introduce sustainable tourism outline an approach that WWF-India can the basis of establishing the feasibility. local people” and sustainable tourism is during this timeframe. Nevertheless, the According to the International Ecotourism certification. It is also evident that adopt to initiate activities in this field. The first two stages of the study and the “nature tourism done in an ecologically, short timeframe was one of the Society, ecotourism is “responsible travel 64 Ladakhis have a greater awareness, drafting of the report were completed 65 constraints of the study. Therefore, the to natural areas that conserves the environment, and improve the welfare of tour package in Ladakh. The principles of 2.2.5 Ecotourism Certification Certification Workshop, which had All of these initiatives got a further fillip sustainable tourism are made practical local people.” A more comprehensive sustainable tourism can be built into the participants from around the world's with the announcement of the New and implemented. The framework New Ecotourism certification is a programme definition is “travel to fragile, pristine, and trekking package to ensure that it is tourism industry. As an outcome of the Tourism Policy as that gave an additional Tourism Policy is already in place and is or scheme for businesses, services and usually protected areas that strives to be ecologically, socially and culturally Workshop, a compilation of functioning thrust to ecotourism and sustainable conducive to implement these concepts. products that describe themselves as low impact and usually small scale.” The responsible. This will require certification programmes was made. The tourism. New initiatives were also likely involved in ecotourism. They focus on 2.4.4 International Year of Ecotourism key characteristics of a typical modifications to how the trekking list of the various programmes is to be promoted, as the policy framework individual or site-specific businesses in India ecotourism package will usually include package is managed and administered. included in Annexure C. is more conducive. (tour operators or hotel owners or the following: For instance, no throwing of garbage In observance of "International Year of restaurant owners), have standards that 2.3.2 International Year of Ecotourism, 2.4.2 Government of India (GoI)'s New along the trekking route is generally a the Ecotourism", the Ministry of Tourism l Involves travel to natural sites. are tailored to local conditions and are 2002 Tourism Policy principle that is accepted. However, it will initiated ecotourism in hill states like largely or totally performance-based. l Minimizes impacts ecological, not require any modification to the basic Currently, Ecotourism and Sustainable In 2002, the New Tourism Policy Uttaranchal and a national committee social and cultural. structure of the package itself. On the 2.2.6 Sustainable Tourism tourism as a whole and certification in superseded the GoI Tourism Policy of under the Minister's chairmanship was other hand, ecotourism package requires Certification specific got another boost due to the 1982. Unlike the 1982 Policy, which was formed. Mr. Jagmohan proposed to put l Educates the traveller / tourist and certain elements implementing in an United Nations declaring 2002 as the formulated in an environment of a closed the Himalayas on the forefront of Indian builds environmental awareness Sustainable tourism certification is a ecologically fragile area, educating the International Year of Ecotourism. During economy and where the roles of the tourist destinations and, at the same tourist, providing funds for conservation, programme or scheme that measures a l Provides funds for conservation the year, United Nations Environment private sector and foreign investment time, recognized the importance of doing range of environmental, socio-cultural involving the community and developing Programme (UNEP) and the World were not envisaged, the New Tourism it in ecologically, culturally and socially and economic equity issues both l Provides direct financial benefits a sense of respect for local, indigenous Tourism Organisation (WTO) carried out Policy has a completely new orientation responsible way. Apart from many other internally (within the business, service or and empowerment of local social and cultural practices. These are several activities such as regional and new thrust. The Policy defines 14 initiatives, the Tourism Ministry also product) and externally (on the communities. so integral to the tour package and meetings and conferences to achieve the principles and these are included in proposed an eco-friendly park on the surrounding community and physical hence cannot really be superimposed to year's objectives. A World Ecotourism Annexure D. Many of these principles Dehradun-Mussorie road to promote hill l Fosters respect for different environment). In other words, a existing tour package. Most often, Summit was conducted in May 2002, the refer directly or indirectly to concepts of culture. All of these initiatives are cultures and for human rights. programme or scheme that includes a ecotourism tour packages are separately World Summit on Sustainable ecotourism and sustainable tourism. To indicative that ecotourism and set of principles that tour operators can 2.2.2 Sustainable Tourism developed and implemented. Development in September 2002 quote one of the principles, sustainable tourism will be given greater subscribe to. discussed ecotourism and a wrap-up “Sustainability should serve as a guiding importance in the coming years. Sustainable tourism is a concept that is In a certain sense, ecotourism is a event of the year's activities was held in star for the new policy. The development integrally associated with ecotourism. subset of sustainable tourism. All 2.4.5 Ecotourism and Sustainable 2.3 Global Scenario / October 2002. There were a number of and management should be so worked According to the World Tourism ecotourism packages will necessarily Tourism Certification in India Experience activities on Ecotourism and Sustainable as to ensure that tourism largely acts as Organisation, sustainable tourism is include sustainable tourism principles but Tourism internationally during the course smoke-less industry and its ecological At the time of the study, there were no envisaged as leading to management of the vice versa is not true. Generally, the 2.3.1 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, of the year. footprints remain as soft as possible. ecotourism and sustainable tourism all resources in such a way that “broad brush” reference to ecotourism 1992 Neither over-exploitation of natural certification programmes / schemes in economic, social and aesthetic needs certification includes both ecotourism 2.4 Indian Scenario / resources should be permitted nor the India presently. However, some service can be fulfilled with maintaining cultural certification and sustainable tourism The 1992 United Nations Conference on carrying capacity of the tourist sites providers to tourists such as hotels had integrity, essential ecological processes, certification. This report assesses the Environment and Development (UNCED) Experience ignored.” This principle is in direct obtained certification. For instance, biological diversity and life support viability of both forms of certification. or so-called Earth Summit held in Rio de 2.4.1 Ecotourism and sustainable support of sustainable tourism. selected hotels have obtained Eco-tel systems. According to Agenda 21 for the Janeiro provided an important impetus 2.2.4 Certification tourism in India certification. Other hotels have obtained Travel and Tourism Industry, sustainable for a variety of efforts to “green” 2.4.3 Substantial increase in Plan the ISO 14001 certification on tourism products are those that operate Certification is a procedure (generally, industries through voluntary compliance, outlay for tourism development Only a few ecotourism and sustainable Environmental Management Systems. in harmony with local environment, voluntary) that assesses, monitors, and governmental regulation and tourism initiatives in India were identified The New Tourism Policy was announced These environmental certifications are community and cultures, so that these gives written assurance that a business, international treaty. The Travel and during the study. These included work by the dynamic Minister of Tourism, Mr. not directly connected to the tourism become the permanent beneficiaries. In product, process, service or Tourism industry also commenced on a being done by the Sikkim Ecotourism Jagmohan. It is understood that Mr. sector. other words, sustainable tourism implies management system conforms to number of new initiatives to express its and Conservation Society, Kerala's Jagmohan played an important part in nature tourism done in an ecologically, specific requirements. It awards a commitment to the concept of 2.4.6 Other Environmental Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society, ensuring a substantial increase in Plan socially and culturally responsible marketable logo or seal to those that sustainable developed that was put Certifications in India Himachal Pradesh's Policy on Outlay for promoting tourism in the manner. meet or exceed baseline standards, i.e. forward in the Earth Summit. A number of ecotourism development with special country. The last five year plan had Rs. those that, at a minimum, comply with new tourism certification programmes The most successfully implemented emphasis on the involvement of the local th 2.2.3 Ecotourism Vs Sustainable were started with the aim of measuring 545 crores, while the ongoing 10 Five certification scheme in India is ISO the national and regional regulations, forest community, the ecotourism Tourism environmentally and socially responsible Year Plan has an outlay of Rs. 2,900 14001: Environmental Management and, typically, fulfil other declared or activities initiated by the Forest practices. In November 2000, Italy's crores. This is indicative of likely future Systems Specification. This is a Sustainable tourism contains a set of negotiated standards prescribed by the Corporations of Uttaranchal and West Institute of Policy Studies conducted the efforts to actively promote tourism in voluntary certification scheme, which is principles that can be superimposed of programme. Bengal, and jointly by the Forest and 66 Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism India. In this context, it is critical that internationally recognised, and is meant 67 any tour package. Consider a trekking Tourism Departments in the other states. concepts such as ecotourism and for organisations, whose activities, l Policies and principles of the village families generated additional certification schemes. During the primary agreed that it was premature to introduce develop ecotourism packages. As there products or services may cause direct or certification scheme are so household income. The village families meetings with the tour operators, the an ecotourism certification scheme. are a number of NGOs working on indirect environmental impacts. Over the formulated that the employees of offered to tourist basic facilities and an concept of ecotourism certification had to preserving / conserving Ladakh's 3.3.2 NGO / Stakeholder Perspective last decade, a number of Indian the subscribing organisation (say, opportunity to live a Ladakhi lifestyle. So be explained. Almost all the tour ecology, culture and social practices, & Response organisations have adopted tour operators) are able to relate far, there were about 5 tourists, who operators were favourably disposed to technical information is readily available. management systems in line with this with it easily. were on the package. All of them developing ecotourism packages and NGOs / stakeholders noted that Collaborative effort between NGOs and international standard. On the other provided a very positive feedback. Snow expressed keenness to know more about ecotourism packages are not being tour operators can result in good, well- l The policies and principles of the hand, the certification scheme that has Leopard Trails, a tour operator, how this should be done. However, they offered by tour operators presently and, designed ecotourism packages. Some certification scheme are in line with turned out to be ineffective is the product administered this tour package. SLC will were sceptical about being able to therefore, it will be too early to introduce NGOs also noted that ecotourism will the other policies, e.g. the certification introduced by the Central be working towards further promoting this charge a premium for such ecotourism ecotourism certification. NGOs agreed bring about financial benefits directly to industrial policy, environmental Pollution Control Board, Ecomark. This concept of community-based tourism. packages. As there are really no that there has to be collaborative effort the community. Therefore, local Ladakhis policy and, in this case, the tourism scheme was administered by the Bureau They were active in conducting ecotourism packages, tour operators between the NGOs and tour operators to will be keen on this form of tourism. policy. of Indian Standards ( BIS). There were workshops and surveys to establish the several efforts to promote Ecomark but foundation / basis for popularising all of them were in vain. Apart from these 3 Findings community-based tourism so that the Table 3.1 Tour Operators – Perspectives / Response two certification schemes, there are local Ladakhis obtain direct financial forest certifications and sustainable 3.1 Introduction benefits from tourism. 1. Travel Agents Association of Ladakh (TAAL) is willing to take the initiative to promote the Sustainable Tourism farming certification that have been 3.2.3 Culture-oriented tourism Certification scheme for tour operators. introduced in India. At the time of the This chapter includes a brief description study, these were at a nascent stage. on the existing ecotourism and tour Some tour operators attempted to 2. TAAL will prefer if there is a formal involvement of the J & K Department of Tourism in the management of the packages of a similar kind in Ladakh. promote culture-oriented tourism with scheme. 2.4.7 Successful certification scheme Then it presents the findings on tourists spending time with Ladakhi 3. TAAL will aim to get all the registered tour operators (about 85 presently) subscribe to the scheme. Lessons from the Indian experience ecotourism certification and sustainable families. One tour operator explained tourism certification. The findings are such a culture-oriented tour package that From the Indian experience, the following 4. Tour operators are likely to be willing to pay a fee (possibly, between Rs. 50-500 per year) as subscription to the based on the primary meetings, physical he had operated. Nineteen families in emerge as important characteristics for a scheme. observation on site and review of three villages - Sakti, Matho and Nimoo successful certification scheme or secondary sources of information. were identified and 30 tourists spent 5. As an acknowledgement of their efforts, tour operators will like to display a certificate in their office that they will be program: some weeks with these families. The able to use in the marketing of their tour packages. l Subscribers to the scheme obtain feedback obtained from both the tourists 3.2 Existing Ecotourism 6. Tour operators do not expect to be able to charge their tourists a premium because their businesses are certified to tangible benefits such as improved and the families were positive. The and Similar Packages sustainable tourism. internal management or tourists benefited due to an in-depth recognition from external 3.2.1 Ecotourism Not Yet exposure to the culture, and the families 7. Tour operators opined that many of their tourists – mostly foreign - are inclined towards being eco-friendly and will be stakeholders. benefited from the interactions with the appreciative of efforts towards sustainable tourism. Tour operators also noted that they inform their tourists about At the time of the study, ecotourism foreigners and additional source of good practices to be adopted and agreed that sustainable tourism certification will systematize / formalize the l Policies and principles of the packages were yet to be offered by tour income that they received. This tour adoption of these practices. certification scheme (requirements) operators in Ladakh. One or two operator was running this package on a by the subscribers are not too packages that have elements of a typical no-profit basis. Though more such 8. The fact that the tour packages are certified to sustainable tourism may not be sufficient to attract tourists. This may stringent. In other words, the ecotourism package were identified. culture-oriented tour operators will be offer a marketing advantage for some large tour operators, who market their packages in Europe. For the rest, there benchmarks either process or However, these were still in the nascent offered, it appears that these will remain will not be any marketing benefits. Nevertheless, tour operators will subscribe to the Certification scheme as they performance standards are stage and were not being implemented a small proportion of the mainstream understand that they need to conserve Ladakh’s ecology, culture and social practices. possible to be met. on a commercial basis. These are commercial tour packages. described in this section. 9. Last year, tour operators conducted a one-off clean-up campaign in Markha and valley. This was organised by l Subscribing to the certification 3.3 Feedback on the TAAL. The tour operators will see subscription to a sustainable tourism scheme as an ongoing contribution to scheme is simple, direct and 3.2.2 Snow Leopard Conservancy conserving the ecology instead of doing it in a sporadic basis. straightforward. It should (SLC)'s Initiative on Community-based Ecotourism necessarily not be bureaucratic. Tourism 10. Tour operators opined that such a sustainable tourism scheme is more relevant to trekking / climbing tours and jeep Certification tours, and less relevant to river rafting, horse riding and cultural tours. And, garbage management will be the greatest l The award of certification is a SLC had a conservation programme in 3.3.1 Tour Operator Perspective & challenge. marketable feature. In other words, the . As one of their Response external stakeholders recognise initiatives, they provided four village 11. Tour operators felt that the requirements for certification should not be made too stringent. It should be practical, families in (within the Park) that the subscriber is more None of the tour operators met during achievable and should encourage as many tour operators to subscribe to the scheme. homestay training in June 2002. By 68 responsible. the study knew about ecotourism 69 offering homestay facilities to tourists, the packages and had not heard about 3.3.3 Government Perspective & community training and awareness- to kick-start and establish the certification packages have elements of a typical them. Discussions with a few tour 4.3 Sustainable Tourism Response building efforts are required. There is scheme. ecotourism package but these cannot operators revealed that they would be enough technical information & capacity really be categorized as ecotourism interested and, therefore, it is likely that Certification Scheme Government Department / Officials such 3.4.3 Government Perspective / to deliver training within NGOs. An packages. Without ecotourism packages two or three tour operators come forward Viable as the Chief Executive Councillor Response assemblage of these parameters can being offered, it is premature to introduce to actually develop and run these pilot (LAHDC), District Commissioner 4.3.1 Proceeding with Sustainable result in the development of good As in the case of ecotourism, an ecotourism certification scheme. If ecotourism packages. SLC's focus is in (LAHDC) and J & K Tourism Tourism Certification ecotourism packages that can be offered Government Department / Officials such tour operators develop ecotourism the Hemis National Park, while WWF- Department's Director agreed that by tour operators. as the Chief Executive Councillor packages in the future, then the India's conservation work is in the ecotourism is a good concept and needs There has been an overall positive (LAHDC), District Commissioner certification of these packages can be wetlands such as Tsomoriri & Tsokar. to be introduced in Ladakh. As all the feedback from tour operators, NGOs / 3.4 Feedback on (LAHDC) and J & K Tourism considered. Tour operators can be urged to develop tourism draws its revenue primarily from stakeholders and Government for Department's Director agreed that ecotourism packages with the support of the uniqueness of the ecology, culture Sustainable Tourism 4.2.2 Developing Pilot Ecotourism introducing sustainable tourism sustainable tourism can also be these NGOs. In developing these and social practices of the region, there packages certification for tour operators. Once a Certification introduced in Ladakh. Once the ecotourism packages, SLC and WWF- is all the more reason for ecotourism to scheme is in place, tour operators will principles are defined, the tour operators The findings of this study reveal the India can work together so that they can be introduced. Their feedback was that 3.4.1 Tour Operator Perspective & have to subscribe a basic minimum to can subscribe to them and certification potential for introducing ecotourism share their experiences during the tour operators should be assisted in Response make the scheme a success. Even if can be awarded based on their packages. NGOs such as SLC and process of developing these tour developing such ecotourism packages 20% of the TAAL registered operators performance. The Government WWF-India can work with selected tour packages. These pilots can be and these should be preferably focused Generally, the few tour operators met subscribe in the first year, there will be Perspective is that the TAAL and tour operators to develop ecotourism developed during the next six months only in particular ecosensitive areas such during the study had not heard about about 20-25 tour operators who can be operators should undertake this initiative packages. Two or three tour operators and implemented during the summer of as Tsomoriri and Hemis National Park. sustainable tourism and certification moved towards sustainable tourism. This 2003. schemes / programmes. On explaining by themselves. Support from the can be selected and ecotourism will be good achievement to begin with. 3.3.4 Observations from the Site Visit the concepts, all of them were strongly in Department of Tourism in the form of packages can be jointly developed with As the feedback received from tour favour of introducing a sustainable being a member of an advisory group to There is no doubt that the tourists are tourism certification scheme in Ladakh. oversee and direct the Sustainable creating adverse impacts on ecosensitive The strong supportive sentiment was Tourism programme / scheme should be areas such as Tsomoriri. As confirmed by also expressed by the President of the forthcoming. Table 4.1 Characteristics of the Scheme a parallel study Participatory Action Travel Agents Association of Ladakh Research Initiative - done by WWF-India, (TAAL). Table 3.1 summarizes the salient 4 Conclusions & • The scheme should include principles, standards, generic guidelines and specific guidelines. All principles, standards there are impacts such as the increased points of the perspective of / response and guidelines should be in simple language. Specific guidelines should be developed for each type of tour package pressure on scarce resources (water and Recommendations obtained from tour operators. and for important ecosensitive locations. pasture land), vehicular trampling of grasses and poor waste management 3.4.2 NGO / Stakeholder Perspective 4.1 Introduction • Principles are to be adopted by the tour operators subscribing to the scheme. Tour operators should use the generic practices including in the immediate and specific guidelines to meet the standards established under the scheme. precincts of ecosensitive areas. This can All the NGOs met during the study were This chapter presents the conclusions • The scheme should be housed in TAAL and should be adopted as a voluntary compliance procedure. be definitely controlled or reduced using positive about sustainable tourism and recommendations of this study. This certification working in the Ladakh's ecotourism as there will be a positive chapter also presents recommendations • There are three important parties / groups involved in the scheme: TAAL, tour operators and verifiers. TAAL houses the context. Some NGOs expressed contribution from understanding and on the approach to be adopted to scheme, tour operators subscribe to it and verifiers are individuals / organisations to assess the compliance of tour reservation over tour operators taking the appreciating nature that will form an introduce these concepts in Ladakh. operators based on physical and documented evidence. integral part of an ecotourism package. initiative, and one cautioned about • The scheme should include an advisory group comprising representatives from TAAL, LAHDC, Dept of Tourism, Hotel The community appear to be willing to misuse as the requirements of 4.2 Ecotourism Owners Association and NGOs. participate in tourism activities. This has certification may be diluted. Most of them were keen that such a certification Certification Scheme also been confirmed in the parallel study. • Principles should be demanding but not too stringent that the tour operators cannot meet the requirements. The community is even willing to scheme be introduced as they Not Viable, but piloting recognised that it was the need of the participate in tourism planning efforts in Ecotourism packages • The scheme should include checks and balances that ensure that the certification is not misused. the region. The community recognise hour. NGOs felt that the tour operators • The scheme should include both process-based and performance-based standards that tourism can be a much required may not be willing to pay for the viable development of the scheme and in opportunity for local community to • The principles, standards and guidelines should cover ecological, social and cultural issues. It should not be restricted meeting the recurring costs of 4.2.1 Not enough Ecotours for a augment their incomes. But the money only to environmental management. Certification Scheme earned by the region through tourism is maintaining the scheme. Though the tour operators may be willing to pay a • The scheme should place both initial and recurring training of all tour operator staff and associates as an important mainly with the travel agencies in Leh Ecotourism certification scheme requires certification fee, this may not cover the feature. and Manali, and none of it reaches the ecotourism packages. At present, there development and recurring costs. 70 community. To change this scenario, are no such packages. Some tour 71 External funding support will be required operators was very positive, it appears community representatives. If the be given only after the completion of the that obtaining a 20% participation from scheme has to be introduced in the season. During the season, the tour Annex III the TAAL-registered operators in the first summer of 2003, then the preparatory operators can use “Working towards year will not be difficult. As things activities should commence by sustainable tourism certification" in their Checklist of Birds of Ladakh establish themselves, all the tour November / December 2002. marketing brochures. At the end and operators can be ushered into the during the season, the verifiers will 4.3.3 Characteristics of the Scheme scheme. This will necessarily be a undertake the review of the tour S. Common Scientific S. Common Scientific No. Name Name No. Name Name gradual process and will require that the Table 4.1 provides the characteristics of operator's performance. This verification scheme be effectively managed. the Sustainable Tourism Certification will involve checking the written feedback GALIFORMES Phasianidae scheme that will be required. These are obtained from the tourists who have used APODIFORMES It is also evident that Ladakhis have a Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa Apodidae to be seen as recommendations to be the services of the tour operators and greater awareness, appreciation and 1 Himalayan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus 31 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba used at the time of developing the certain physical spot checks. Those tour realisation of the need to conserve their 2 Tibetan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus 32 Common Swift Apus apus scheme. operators who have been cleared by the 3 Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar ecology, culture and social practices. 33 Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus verifiers will be recommended for the 4 Tibetan Partridge Perdix hodgsoniae House Swift Apus affinis Therefore, there is a greater chance that 4.3.4 Introducing and administering award of certification. At the end of the Daytsak, De-shrak a sustainable tourism certification 5 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix the scheme season, a function will be organised to STRIGIFORMES Rain Quail Coturnix coromandelica scheme will be successful in Ladakh Strigidae declare those who have been certified. ANSERIFORMES when compared to other regions in India. Following the development, the scheme 34 Pallid Scops Owl Otus brucei This certification will be valid for a period Anatidae has to be introduced. Given that Ladakh 35 Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo 6 Greylag Goose Anser anser Considering the above, the study of one year. The process of subscription, 36 Little Owl Athene noctua has a very short tourist season, i.e. May- 7 Bar-headed Geese Anser indicus concludes and recommends that verification and renewal of certification 37 Long-eared Owl Asio otus September, a number of activities will 8 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea will be repeated year after year. 38 Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus sustainable tourism certification should have to be done during that period. At 9 Gadwall Anas strepera Caprimulgidae be introduced in Ladakh. 10 Eurasian Wigeon Anas Penelope the outset, a half-day briefing session 4.3.5 Costs / revenue model for the 39 Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus Europaeus 11 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos should be conducted for the members of 4.3.2 Developing a Home-grown Scheme 12 Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata TAAL, preferably in early-May. This is COUMBIFORMES Scheme 13 Northern Pintail Anas acuta The findings revealed that TAAL will be best done during their quarterly general 14 Garganey Anas querquedula Columbidae 40 Rock Pigeon Columba livia The sustainable certification scheme body meeting as that will ensure willing to pay a fee for obtaining / 15 Common Teal Anas crecca 41 Hill Pigeon Columba rupestris should be home-grown. As mentioned maximum participation. During this retaining the sustainable tourism 16 Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina 17 Common Pochard Aythya ferina 42 Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota earlier in the report, there are a number briefing, the draft scheme should be certification on an annual basis. 18 Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca Yellow-eyed Pigeon Columba eversmanni However, this amount will not be of sustainable certification schemes in presented and comments / feedback 19 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 43 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur the world. Importing these schemes and sought. The advisory group should also sufficient either for developing the 20 Common Merganser Mergus merganser 44 Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis 45 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis introducing in the context of Ladakh be formally announced during this scheme or for administering the scheme PICIFORMES Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis should not be done as this is likely to be briefing. A date for finalising the scheme on a recurring basis. Assuming that 20% Picidae Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica (25 members) of the TAAL-registered irrelevant. A home-grown scheme should should be decided and subscription to 21 Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla 46 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto be developed keeping in view the ground the scheme should be invited. Training operators subscribe in the first year and 22 Scaly-bellied Picus squamatus realities - the peculiarities / difficulties sessions for tour operators, cooks, the fee is Rs. 250 per operator, the Woodpecker GRUIFORMES revenue generation will be about Rs. Gruidae associated with the region and the guides, helpers and guides should also UPUPIFORMES 47 Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo uniqueness of the ecology, culture and be announced. As the best time for 6,250. This will partly meet the Upupidae 48 Black-nacked Crane Grus nigricollis administrative costs for running the 23 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops social practices. At a later date, once the training is end-May or early June, most of Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus scheme in the first year, but will not cover CORACIIFORMES scheme is established, possibilities of the training should be planned during this Rallidae Coraciidae association with global sustainable period. for the technical inputs to develop the 49 Water Rail Rallus aquaticus 24 European Roller Caracias garrulous scheme. Therefore, it will be required to 50 Corn Crake Crex crex tourism schemes should be explored. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis In the first year, the tour operators will 51 Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla Developing such a scheme can be easily approach donor agencies to raise money Alcedinidae 52 Spotted Crake Porzana porzana work towards obtaining the sustainable for developing the scheme and 25 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis accomplished within a four-six months 53 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus tourism certification. As it is based on administering the scheme for the first timeframe and is best done with constant 54 Common Coot Fulica atra their performance, the certification can Meropidae feedback from tour operators, NGOs and three years. 26 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus 27 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster CICONIIFORMES Pteroclidae CUCULIFORMES 55 Tibetan Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes tibetanus Cuculidae Scolopacidae 28 Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus 56 Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria 72 29 Eurasian Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 57 Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura 73 30 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea 58 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago S. Common Scientific S. Common Scientific S. Common Scientific S. Common Scientific No. Name Name No. Name Name No. Name Name No. Name Name

59 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 106 Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis 148 Hume's Groundpecker Pseudopodoces humilis 190 Rosy Starling Sturnus roseus 60 Whimbrel Numenius Phaeopus 107 Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus 149 Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 191 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 61 Eurasian Curlew Numenius phaeopus 108 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallucus 150 Yellow-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus Sittidae Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 109 Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 151 Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula 192 Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria 62 Common Redshank Tringa tetanus 110 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 152 House Crow Corvus splendens Certhiidae 63 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 111 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus 153 Carrion Crow Corvus corone orientalis 193 Bar-tailed Treecreeper Certhia himalayana 64 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 112 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus Corvus corax sharpie 194 Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 65 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 113 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Acciptter nisus 154 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Paridae 66 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 114 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentiles 155 Common Raven Corvus corax White-crowned Remiz coronatus 67 Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus 115 Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius 156 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Penduline Tit 68 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 116 Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus 157 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus 195 Fire-capped Tit Cephalopyrus flammiceps 69 Little Stint Calidris minuta 117 Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Cinclidae 196 Rufous-naped Tit Parus rufonuchalis 70 Temminick's Stint Calidris temminckii 118 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis 158 White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus 197 Great Tit Parus major 71 Dunlin Calidris alpine 119 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 159 Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii 198 Green-blacked Tit Parus monticolus 72 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 120 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Musciapidae Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus 73 Ruff Philomachus pugnax Falconidae 160 Rufous-tailed Rock Monticola saxatilis Hirundinidae 74 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 121 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Thrush 199 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 75 Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus 122 Merlin Falco columbarius 161 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius 200 Plain Martin Riparia paludicola Jacanidae 123 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo 162 Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus 201 Eurasian Crag Martin Hirundo rupestris 76 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus 124 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 163 Tickell's Thrush Turdus unicolor 202 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Charadriidae 125 Saker Falcon Falco cherrug 164 Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula 203 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 77 Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii Podicipediadae 165 Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis 204 Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica 78 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus Himntopus 126 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 166 Dusky Thrush Turdus Naumanni 205 Northern House Martin Delichon urbica 79 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 127 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 167 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus 80 Pacific Golden Plower Pluvialis fulva 128 Black-nacked Grebe Podiceps nigricullis 168 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Regulidae 81 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Phalacrocoracidae 169 Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica 206 Goldcrest Regulus regulus Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 129 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica Sylviidae 82 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 130 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger 170 Rusty-tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica 207 Long-billed Bush WarblerBradypterus major 83 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Ardeidae 171 Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva 208 Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus 84 Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus 131 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 172 White-tailed Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis schoenobaenus Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultia 132 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 173 Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 209 Black-browed Reed Acrocephalus bistrigiceps 85 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 133 Great Egret Casmerodius albus 174 Orange-flanked Bush Tarsiger cyanurus Warbler Glareolidae 134 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Robin 210 Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola 86 Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola 135 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii 175 Rufous-tailed Scrub Cercotrichas galactotes 211 Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Laridae 136 Black-crowned Night Nycticorax nycticorax Robin 212 Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus 87 Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus Heron 176 Rufous-backed Redstart Phoenicurus erythronota arundinaceus Heuglin's Gull Larus (fuscus) heuglini 137 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus 177 Blue-capped Redstart Phoenicurus 213 White-browed Tit Leptopoecile sophiae 88 Pallas's Gull Larus ichthyaetus 138 Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris coeruleocephalus Warbler 89 Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Threskiornithidae 178 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 214 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 90 Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 139 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 179 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 215 Mountain Chiffchaff Phylloscopus sindianus 91 Little Gull Larus minutus Ciconiidae Hodgson's Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni Plain Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus neglectus 92 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 140 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 180 White-winged Redstart Phoenicurus 216 Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus 93 River Tern Sterna aurantia erythrogaster 217 Tickell's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis 94 Common Tern Sterna hirundo PASSERIFORMES 181 Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis 218 Sulphur-bellied Warbler Phylloscopus griseolus Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Laniidae 182 White-capped Chaimarrornis 219 Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei 95 Little Tern Sterna albifrons 141 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Leucoephalus 220 Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher 96 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus 142 Rufous-tailed Shrike Lanius Isabellinus Water Redstart 221 Creenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides 97 White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus 143 Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Grandala Grandala coelicolor 222 Large-billed Leaf Phylloscopus magnirostris Accipitridae 144 Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus 183 Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri Warnler 98 Osprey Pandion haliaetus 145 Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor 184 Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata Tytler's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri 90 Oriental Honey-Buzzard Pandion haliaetus 146 Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis Hume's Wheater Oenanthe alboniger 223 Western Crowned Phylloscopus Occipitalis 100 Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Corvidae 185 Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata Warbler 101 Red Kite Milvus milvus Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 186 Pied Wheatear Oenanthe picata Streaked Garrulax lineatus 102 Black Kite Milvus migrans Black-headed Jay Garrulus lanceolatus 187 Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti Laughingthrush 103 Pallas's Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus Yellow-billed Blue Urocissa flavirostris 188 Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Variegated Garrulax variegates 74 104 Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus Magpie Sturnidae Laughingthrush 75 105 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus 147 Black-billed Magpie Pica pica 189 Brahminy Starling Sturnus pagodarum 224 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin Annex IV S. Common Scientific S. Common Scientific No. Name Name No. Name Name Checklist of Medicinal Plant Species found in 225 Greater Whiterhroat Sylvia communis Siberian Accentor Prunella montanella 226 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca 250 Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris 227 Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria 251 Altai Accentor Prunella himalayana Ladakh and used in Tibetan Medicine System Alaudidae 252 Robin Accentor Prunella rubeculoides 228 Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha 253 Rufous-breasted Prunella strophiata bimaculata Accentor 229 Tibetan Lark Melanocrypha maxima 254 Brown Accentor Prunella fulvescens 230 Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla 255 Black-throated Accentor Prunella atrogularis S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital 231 Hume's Short-toed Lark Calandrella acutirostris Fringillidae No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type Asian Short-toed Lark Calandrella cheleensis 256 Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 232 Crested Lark Galerida cristata 257 Fire-ronted Serin Serinus pusillus 1 Acantholimon Longze Rocky 18 Anemone rivularis Zupka Alpine 233 Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula 258 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis lycopodioides slopes Buch-Ham pastures 234 Horned Lark Eremophila alpestris 259 Twite Carduelis flavirostris Passeridae 260 Eurasian Linnet Carduelis cannabina 2 Achilliea millefolium Chuang Plateau 19 Anemone rupicola Simaso Moist areas 235 House Sparrow Passer domesticus 261 Plain Mountain Finch Leucosticte nemoricola 236 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 262 Brandt's Mountain Finch Leucosticte brandti 3 Aconitum balfourii Bonga nakpo Moist areas 20 Aquilegia fragrance Zadul-dorje Moist areas Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia Crimson-winged Finch Rhodopechys sanguinea 237 Tibetan Snowfinch Montifringilla adamsi Sillem's Mountain Finch Leucosticte sillemi 4 Aconitum heterophyllum Buma Moist areas 21 Arabidopsis multiflorum Imatso Stony 238 White-rumped Pyrgilauda taczanowskii 263 Mongolian Finch Bucanetes mongolicus Places Snowfinch 264 Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus 5 Aconitum rotundifolium Bonkar Dry scrub 239 Plain-backed Snowfinch Pyrgilauda blanfordi 265 Red-mantled Rosefinch Carpodacus 22 Arabis glandulosa Umnako Rocky 6 Aconitum violaceum Yangtso Moist areas Rufous-necked Pyrgilauda ruficollis rhodochlamys places Snowfinch 266 White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura (Zinba) 240 Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus 267 Streaked Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilloides 23 Arctium lappa L. Miah Dry sandy 7 Actinocarya tibetica Undulating 241 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 268 Great Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilla areas 242 White-browed Wagtail Motacilla 269 Red-fronted Rosefinch Carpodacus puniceus area Maderaspatensis 270 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 24 Arenaria bryophylla Lekhum Stony 8 Adonis chrysocyathus Semshi Plateau, 243 Citrine Wegtail Motacilla citreola 271 Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos slopes 244 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 272 Rock Bunting Emberiza cia Passes 245 Grey Wagtail Motacills cinerea Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani 25 Arenaria griffithii Sokhtam Stony 246 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 273 Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hurtulana 9 Allium carolinianum Gogcheegma Scrubby slopes Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni 274 Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla slopes 247 Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila 26 Arnebia euchroma Demok Rocky 248 Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus 275 Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps 10 Allium humile Pocha Alpine slopes 249 Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta B276 Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus pastures

Source: Pfister (2004). 27 Artemisia biennis Khampa Wastelands 11 Anaphalis contorta Telgang Alpine Slopes 28 Artemisia brevifolia Khamchu Stony slopes 12 Anaphalis nepalensis Tawa Moraines 29 Artemisia desertorum Khamlol Wastelands 13 Anaphalis cuneifolia Simula Rocky places 30 Artemisia dracunculus Burtse Wastelands

14 Anaphalis triplinervis Phulu Rocky 31 Artemisia gmelinii Khampa Dry slopes Mentock slopes shridhi

15 Androsace aizoon Sgatik mugpo Alpine 32 Artemisia laciniata Bintso Dry slopes Pasture 33 Artemisia minor Furnag Dry slopes 16 Androsace mucronifolia Zigsolo Alpine 34 Artemisia martima Furnag Dry slopes Slopes 35 Artemisia moorcroftiana Phurnag Westelands 17 Androsace rotundifolia Zigsolo Alpine

76 Pastures 36 Artemisia parviflora Khamang Plateau 77 S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type

37 Artemisia salsoloides Amango Dry slopes 57 Bupleurum marginatum Zira-sherpo Alpine 76 Clematis tibetina Zakzic Cultivated 98 Delphinium brunonianum Lunde-kaown Moist rocky Willd. Pastures areas slopes

38 Artemisia scoparia Khamtso Dry slopes 58 Capsella bursa-pastoris Sah-kuchak Alpine 77 Codonopsis clematidea Ludut dorje Marshy 99 Delphinium Lunde-kaown Stony pastures cashmerianum (Cha-gotpa) slopes 39 Artemisia sieversiana Khamchu Rocky slopes 59 Caragana gerardiana Zomosing Gullies, dry 78 Codonopsis rotundifolia Klupdud dorje Marshy 100 Delphinium viscosum Bilamonokh Moist stony slopes area 40 Artemisia stracheyi Rumonlo Plateau 60 Caragana versicolor Zonsing Sandy 79 Codonopsis ovata Marshy 101 Descurainia sophia Teri-latchij Alpine 41 Astragalus rhizanthus Sarma Stony slopes pastures slopes 80 Conringia planisiliqua Khaskar Alpine 61 Carum bulbocastanum Gosnyod Dry slopes slopes 102 Dianthus anatolicus Alpine 42 Aster diplostephiodes Ba-sha-ka, Moist Boiss. pastures Lugchung slopes 62 Carum carvi Gonyot Dry slopes 81 Convolvulus arvensis Grachi Dry slopes 103 Dracocephalum Zinkzer, Stony 43 Aster flaccidus Lugmig Moist 63 Centauria picris Konpa Dry slopes 82 Corispermum Seimso Dry rocky heterophyllum Driangu, slopes slopes 64 Cerastium cerastoides Spangian Moist areas Priyanku 44 Aster strachey Lugmig Rocky karpo, 83 Corydalis govaniana Tongru-silva Marshy 104 Dracocephalum Kirmir Roadsides 65 Chenopodium botrys Sanyek Dry areas, 84 Corydalis meifolia Tonzil Marshy moldavicum 45 Astragalus strictus Serpang Rocky cultivating 85 Corydalis rutifolia Chimlo Roadsides 105 Dracocephalum Ghiromanko Slopes slopes fields staminium 86 Corydalis tibetica Stong zil Plateau. 46 Astragalus tribulifolius Yanglo Cultivated 66 Chenopodium foliolosum Sanyek Sandy 106 Echniops cornigerus Ekzema Village field riverbeds 87 Cousinia thomsonii Chansar Wastelands (Zanskar) areas 47 Atelanthera perpusilla Sandy 67 Chenopodium Sanyek Wastelands 88 Cremanthodium Rekonpa Moist areas 107 Echinops niveus Ekzema Plateau places 89 Cremanthodium ellisii Dariya kan 108 Ephedra gerardiana Chhapat Stony 48 Berberis ulicina Sherpa Riverine 68 Christolea crassifolia Stony (Tse) slopes, areas slopes 90 Crepis flexuosa Remang Stony gravelly soil places 49 Berberis zabeliana Sherpa Sandy 69 Chrysanthemum Serpan Plateau 109 Epilobium Utpal-wanbo Shady areas 91 Crocus sativus Village angustifolium Areas areas 50 Bergenia stracheyi Dak-kya- Rocky 70 Chrysanthemum Serpan Rocky 110 Epipactis helleborine Penginlo Moist hawo, pyrethroides (Bhurse- slopes 92 Cuscuta approximata Amarlata Wastelands places Gatikpa khampa), 111 Eragrostis poaeoides Gieng Dry slopes 51 Betula utilis Takpa Rocky 71 Chrysanthemum Phemantso Rocky 93 Cuscuta capitata Amarlata Wastelands tibeticum slopes 52 Biebersteinia odora Khardung Alpine 94 Cuscuta europea Amarlata Village 112 Erigeron alpinus Repan Rocky slopes 72 Cicer microphyllum Seri-jriboo Wastelands, areas alpine 113 Eritricum canam Changser, Roadsides 53 Bistorta affinis Langna Dry rocky 95 Cuscuta reflexa Amarlata Undulating slopes tukse areas 54 Bistorta vivipara Naram, Moist 73 Circium arvense Soh-chlia River valley 114 Ermania lanuginosa Measlo Moist Langangpa slopes 96 Dastylorhiza hatazirea Sanchu Moist places 74 Circium wallichii Kakar River valley (Angbolakpa, places 55 Blumea bifoliata Leuman Plateau wangluk) 115 Erodium tibetanum Alpine 75 Clematis orientalis Emong nakpo Dry slopes slopes 56 Bupleurum himalayense Sah-kuchak Alpine 97 Daphne mucronate 78 79 pastures Emong nakpo Dry slopes S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type

116 Eurphorbia stracheyi Tingling Sandy 135 Geranium tuberaria Yusiang Rocky 156 Lagotis kunawurensis Tsermo Alpine 178 Morina coulteriana Khundaj, Kare River valley slopes Pature 117 Euphorbia tibetica Tingling Alpine 179 Morina longifolia Biskandara River valley pastures 136 Gnaphalium affine Gandha Moist areas 157 Lancea tibetica Payak-tsa Marshy pattra 118 Euphrasia laxa Kianglo Sandy 158 Leontopodium nanum Palu High 180 Myricaria rosea Hombuk River Valley places 137 Gnaphalium stewartii Peo Sandy Passes 181 Myricaria squamosa Ombu River Valley places 119 Ferula jaeschkeana Thunak, Dry slopes 159 Lepidium latifolium Shangshu Dry slopes 182 Nepeta cataria Gandhsoi Dry slopes Risho 138 Halepestes tricuspis Rock- 160 Leucopoa albida Fukche Sandy crevices, 183 Nepeta coerulenscens Neimlo Dry slopes 120 Fritillaria roylei Chikmo Alpine areas marshy slopes 184 Nepeta discolor Nyomalo Rocky area 161 Lomatogonium rotatum Tsemrang 121 Galium pauciflorum Phomongo Plateau slopes 139 Heracleum lanatum Tunak, tukar Marshy 162 Lonicera spinosa Lamora Rocky 185 Nepeta erecta Eripantso Sandy 122 Galium serpilloides Pemantso Higher slopes 140 Herminium monorchis Moist passes places places 163 Lloydia serotina Kangkar Alpine 186 Nepeta eriostachia Zimthik le Dry slopes 123 Gentiana algida Pungen Moist (Tsaawa), passes 141 Hippophae rhamnoides Tar-ngoo, Riverbeds carpov places Anwa Starbu, Zing 187 Nepeta floccosa Shamalolo Stony 124 Gentiana carinata Ziang Moist 164 Luppula barbata Wastelands 142 Humulus lupulus Village area places slopes 165 Lychnis nutans Lappu Moist 143 Hyoscyamus niger Thangdum, Village area 188 Nepeta glutinosa Gimanko Stony 125 Gentiana kurroa Pangyin Moist places langtang-tse slopes slopes 166 Lycium ruthenicum Umila Roadsides 144 Hypericum leptocarpus Meerang Grazing 126 Gentiana nubigena Pangyin Moist 189 Nepeta leucolaena Beimtso Dry slopes Ground slopes 167 Malva verticillata Chiroti Alpine 145 Hyssopus officinale Jip-chi, chibu Dry slopes 190 Nepeta longibracteata Teyanku Rocky 127 Gentiana olivieri Khilche Moist pasture places Nagpo slopes 146 Inula rhizocephala Riamko Moist rocky 168 Malva sylvestris Sotsal Alpine places 191 Nepeta podostachys Shangukaram Rocky 128 Gentiana squarrosa Ziang Alpine pasture slopes slopes 147 Inula racemosa Manu Cultivated 169 Marrubium vulgare Tropper Dry areas 192 Origanum vulgare Lachung Dry areas 129 Gentiana stracheyi Ziang Moist 148 Inula royleana Ukchha places 170 Mattiastrum thomsonii Slopes 193 Oxyria digyna Chur-tse, Sandy 149 Iris ensata Banpiaj Dry areas 130 Gentianella moorcroftiana Teekta Moist 171 Meconopsis aculeata Serthun, Stony chum tse slopes 150 Junglans regia Akhrot Planted Tsergnon desert 194 Oxytropis microphylla Stagsha Dry areas 131 Gentianella paludosa Pallutso Moist 151 Juniperus communis Shukpa Dry slopes 172 Meconopsis horrdula . Udpal snogpo Stony areas Nagpo slopes 152 Juniperus recurva Shukpa Dry slopes 173 Meconopsis simplicifolia Udpal snogpo Stony areas 195 Oxytopis microphylla Taksha, Dry 132 Gentianopsis detonsa Shiti Moist rechakpa 153 Jurnea ceratocarpa Chholmong Dry & sandy 174 Meconopsis sinuata Udpal snogpo Stony areas Places Areas 196 Oxytropis tatarica Sarkash Dry areas 175 Medicago lupulina . Gunyok Dry areas 133 Geranium pratense Gagchuk Stony 154 Koelpinia linearis Nodar Alpine 197 Parquilegia microphylla Gyamobd- Moist areas (Ngon-boo) slopes, 176 Melica persica Tandi Dry sandy pasture . ebyin wet places slopes 155 Lactuca serriola Dudej Alpine 198 Pedicularis cheilanthifolia Kikimo Moist 134 Geranium sibiricum Eyamlom- Sandy & 177 Mentha longifolia Phololing Moist 80 slopes places 81 entok wastelands places S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type

199 Pedicularis longiflora Phakchang, Moist 218 Primula denticulata Alpine 238 Saussurea bracteata Pang-tsi Moist rocky, 259 Tamaricaria elegans Hombuk River valley Lungri zarpo places pasture dowo Passes 260 Tanacetum Seigmanlo Rocky 200 Pedicularis megalantha Lungruk Marshy 219 Primula macrophylla Sulumentok Moist rocky 239 Saussurea ganphaloides Yuliang, Moist dolichophyllum. Slopes makpo (Kilche) slopes Pangtsi slopes, 261 Tanacetum gracile Khamchu Stony areas scree 201 Pedicularis pectinata Lungi muppo Moist 220 Primula rosea Sulumentok Damp places places 240 Saussurea lappa Kut Cultivated 262 Tanacetum longifolium Bhurse Dry Khampa 202 Peganum harmala Sepan Roadsides 221 Prunella vulgaris Syangave Alpine 241 Saussurea obvallata Spangse tobo Rocky pasture slopes 263 Tanacetum nanam Phulumentok Plateau 203 Perovskia barotanoides Village areas 222 Psychrogeton Lukchung ba Alpine 242 Saussurea taraxifolie Higher 264 Tanacetum tenuifolium Autang Dry slopes andryaloides Pasture passes 204 Physochlaina praelta Langthang Stony 265 Tanacetum tibeticum Khurmang Sandy slopes, 243 Saxifraga flagillaris Suchutlikh Glacial Places, roadsides 223 Pterocephalus hookerii Spang-tsi- Dry areas moraines stony dowo slopes 205 Picrorhiza kurrooa Honglen Moist 244 Saxifraga oppositifolia Sasomantso higher slopes 224 Renunculus brotherusii Maokiang Dry slopes Passes 266 Taraxacum officinale Han Marshy (Khurmang) 206 Plantago major Riew kai Roadside, 245 Selinum vaginatum Moist moist area 225 Ranunculus laetus Sharchang Moist slopes 267 Thalictrum alpinum Plateau places 207 Plantago himalaica Karache, Moist area, 246 Scorzonera virgata Sandy 268 Thalictrum foetidum Haichinsah Cultivated Nikto roadside 226 Ranunculus lobatus Zamtos Moist places areas places 208 Plantago depressa Tharam Roadside 247 Scrophularia koelzii Yarma Moist area 269 Thalictrum minus Chak-choo Wastelands 227 Rheum emodi Tukshu Moist rocky 209 Plantago erosa Tharam Trailside 248 Scrophularia dentata Hamchi Plateau 270 Thermopsis inflata Khymang Scree 228 Rheum moorcroftianum Tukshu Marshy chudup 210 Pleaurospermum Chhipi Marshy 249 Scutellaria prostrata Haunching Rocky angelicoides . Slopes 271 Thlaspi arvense Bumak Roadside, 229 Rheum webbianum Tukshu Marshy cultivated 211 Podophyllum hexandrum Demobkusu, Moist shady 250 Sedum crassipes Churuppa Moist fields (Tandik) areas 230 Rhodiola heterodonta Sholo-marvo Rocky bouldery 272 Thlaspi montanum Bumak Rocky 212 Polygonum polystachium Chutzi nagpo Moist area 231 Rhodiola imbricata. Shrolu Moist Rocky 251 Sedum ewersii Churuppa Moist bouldery 273 Thymus Linearis Taksha nakpo Rocky 232 Rhododendron Balu Rocky slope 213 Polygonum Nhachu Moist areas 252 Senecio leatus Hechiang Roadsides 274 Tragopogon gracilis Thar-noo, A Dry 233 Rosa sericea Rongsal, Rocky slope paronychiodes Syan, Sia 253 Senecio graciliflorus Zerjum Alpine 275 Tribulus terrestris Zema ravo Roadsides, 214 Potentilla anserina Cultivated, pastuer sandy 234 Rosa webbiana Shulik, Dry irrigated places Rongsal, 254 Senecio tibeticus Niyamgar Plateau fields Syan, Sia 276 Triglochin palustris Puga, Gaike Dry slopes 255 Silene moorcroftiana Timuksa Marshy 215 Potentilla atrosanguinea Chisheng Alpine 235 Rumex dentatus Shoma Marshy slopes 277 Trigonella emodi Bhusu hung Farmland 236 Rumex nepalensis Shomang, Marshy 256 Silene indica Shukoa, Moist area 216 Potentilla fruticosa Khiamgar Plateau 278 Urtica hyperborea Pachoo, Wastelands Lugsuk shobna Zasot 217 Potentilla salesoviana E-mong karvo Dry 257 Swetia petiolata Heising Dry slopes 237 Sagina saginoides Kanganchoo Moist area 279 Urtica urens Zabo, Zatsut 82 83 258 Swertia thomsonii Tikta Moist area S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital S. Species Local Habital No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type No. (Scientific Name) Name type

280 Veronica macrostemon Shimiogar High 299 Delphinium Lunde-kaown Stony 317 Podophyllum hexandrum Demobkusu, Moist shady 325 Saussurea lappa Kut Cultivated, Passes cashmerianum (Chagotpa) slopes (Tandik) areas 326 Saussurea obvallata Spangse Rocky 281 Viola biflora Alpine 300 Ephedra gerardiana Chhapat (Tse) Stony 318 Primula rosea Sulumentok Damp tobo slopes pasture Slopes, places 327 Selinum vaginatum Moist gravelly soil 282 Viola odorata Alpine 319 Rheum emodi Tukshu Moist rocky slopes pasture 301 Ferula jaeschkeana Thunak, Dry slopes 320 Rheum moorcroftianum Tukshu Marshy 328 Tanacetum nanam Phulumentok Plateau Risho 283 Waldheimia tomentosa Makungla Stony 321 Rheum webbianum Tukshu Marshy 329 Thymus linearis Taksha nakpo Rocky (Lugmik slopes 302 Fritillaria roylei Chikmo Alpine serpo) slopes 322 Rhododendron Balu Rocky 330 Waldheimia tomentosa Makungla Stony anthopogon slope (Lugmiks- slopes 284 Waldemia glabra (Sa-palu) Higher 303 Gentiana kurrooa Pangyin Moist erpo) Passes slopes 323 Saussurea bracteata Pang-tsi Moist rocky, dowo passes 331 Waldhemia glabra (Sa-palu) Higher 285 Youngia tenufolia Stathis, Rock- 304 Geranium sibiricum Eyamlom- Sandy, passes Jampa crevices entok watelands 324 Saussurea gnaphaloides Yuliang, Moist Pang-tsi slopes, 286 Acantholimon Longze Rocky 305 Heracleum lanatum Tunak, tukar Marshy lycopodioides slopes Source: Kala (2000). 306 Heracleum monorchis Moist 287 Aconitum balfourii Bonga nakpo Moist areas places 288 Aconitum heterophyllum Buma Moist areas 307 Hippophae rhamnoides Tar-ngoo, Riverbeds 289 Aconitum rotundifolium Bonkar Dry scrub Starbu, Zing

290 Aconitum violaceum Yangtso Moist areas 308 Hyoscyamus niger Thangdum, Village site (Zinba, langtangtse Dusilama) 309 Indula racemosa Manu Cultivated 291 Anaphalis contorta Telgang Alpine 310 Juniperus communis Shukpa Dry slopes Slopes 311 Juniperus recurva Shukpa Dry slopes 292 Arnebia euchroma Demok Rocky slopes

293 Artemisia maritima Khamchu Stony 312 Lancea tibetica Payak-tsa Marshy slopes 313 Lloydia serotina ) Kangkar Alpine 294 Bergenia stracheyi Dak-kya-hawo, Rocky (Tsa-awa), passes Gatikpa Anwa

295 Betula utilis Takpa Rocky 314 Meconopsis aculeata Serhun, Stony Tsergnon desert 296 Cremanthodium ellisii Dariya kan 315 Physochlaina praealta Langthang Stony 297 Dactylorhiza hatagirea Sanchu Moist slopes, (Angbolakpa, places roadsides wangluk) 316 Picrorhiza kurrooa Honglen Moist 298 Delphinium Lunde-kaown Moist rocky slopes 84 brunonianum slopes 85 l Post consultation the agreed 5. Mr. Jigmet Takpa,( JT) Regional field were invited and their inputs taken. Annex V management plan would be Wildlife Warden, Department of The mandate and the practice of WWF submitted to the Government. Wildlife, J&K has been to initiate and implement a participatory conservation programme, Meeting with Government of Regarding the community based 6. Dr. Parikshit Gautam (PG), as has been done in Ladakh. The high tourism for Tsomoriri & Tsokar, the Director, WWF-India point of the project has been that it is a concept with the envisaged activities was Jammu and Kashmir 7. Prof. Sashi Kant (SK), Chairman participatory programme with the presented for in principle agreement with WWF J&K state office. complete involvement of all the 2-3 March 2006, Jammu the Wildlife Department, the same would stakeholders. be presented to the Dept. of Tourism also 8. Ms. Vidya. S. (SV), Coordinator, 2nd March, 2006 The WWF-India initiative on conservation l Mark zones of wetland and high for their agreement as well. Policy & Programme Development, PC gave his inputs on various technical of High Altitude Wetlands of Ladakh was priority conservation areas using WWF-India. issues related to wetlands of Ladakh and RLB agreed that around 27,000 tourists Meeting at office of Chief Wildlife briefly explained and a few discussion the GIS images. stressed the need for strengthening the visited Tsomoriri & Tsokar last year within Warden points on the threats section included 9. Mr. Pankaj Chandan (PC), Senior ongoing CBT activities at Tsomoriri & l Consultative workshop with major a time span of just 4 months and which aspects like the electric pole inside the Project Officer, WWF-India. Tsokar. 1. Mr. R L Bharti, CWLW, Department stakeholders to discuss the draft confirms the fact that the effort for marshes at Hanle and issues related to of Wildlife, J&K (RLB) management plan. establishing community based tourism Agenda: Discussion Points fencing of Wetlands. JT said that the with basic infrastructural facilities for 2. Mr. Naseer Kitchloo, Regional fencing issue is also being sorted out. l Brief introduction of WWF-India's NS appreciated the effort and said that Agreements environment friendly camping facilities at Wildlife Warden Jammu(NK) conservation of High Altitude he is aware of WWF-India's conservation PC laid the stress on the complexity of l both these fragile sites. A framework of the management Wetlands of Ladakh initiative. work in Ladakh and added that such a 3. Mr. Jigmet Takpa,(JT) Regional the wetland ecosystems of Ladakh and plan for the five identified wetlands NK added that Yaya Tso is also a participatory approach should be carried Wildlife Warden, Department of explained the site specific problems l To discuss modalities and future would be discussed and agreed to potentially important site and a similar forward. He added that since ground Wildlife, J&K being faced by each wetland including course of the management be WWF-India and Department of initiative should be taken up for that site work related to the Wetland conservation the problems as a result of unscientific Wildlife planning exercise for the wetlands 4. Dr. Parikshit Gautam (PG), as well. B replied that the current phase management in the form of various management interventions. of Ladakh. Director, WWF-India. l An expert committee which would would target Tsomoriri & Tsokar and Yaya feasibility studies and a PRA exercise Regarding the management planning l write the plan could be constituted Tso could be targeted for the next phase. Prospects for establishing has already been done by WWF-India it 5. Mr. Pankaj Chandan (PC), Senior the future course as presented was of representatives from Community Based Tourism at should the logical course of action to Project Officer, WWF-India agreed to with a suggestion from JT PG informed that Yaya Tso is also an Department of Wildlife, WWF-India, Tsomoriri & Tsokar jointly between take it forward into developing a saying that the individual duties and important site for WWF and Field Team 6. Ms. Vidya. S. (SV), Coordinator, Mr. B. C. Choudhury from Wildlife Department of Wildlife, Department management plan. responsibilities should be clarified from at Leh is regularly conducting the field Policy & Programme Development, Institute of India, Dr. Raghu of Tourism and WWF-India with the beginning in the form a MOU. surveys in this wetland. RLB - to this added that a number of WWF-India. partnership from Community trusts Chundawat, Ms. Seema Bhatt for organization including a large world bank The future course of action is as follows their expertise in Ladakh and its 3rd March, 2006 and Hill council. Agenda: project on management planning is on and to be proposed to the Commissioner biodiversity as well as exposure Background: going. However to this NS replied that Meeting at the office of Commissioner l Brief introduction of WWF-India's Cum Secretary Forests, Govt. of Jammu components of a well envisioned convergence of all the work and building and Kashmir. cum Secretary Forests, Government PG explained the WWF-India's role as conservation of High Altitude and drafted management plan. in synergy is important for the region, Wetlands of Ladakh initiative. of J&K conservation NGO in India and the Participatory Management Plan for l The existing GIS analysis and and there should be one nodal agency presence internationally in more than which would along with Wildlife l High Altitude Wetlands of Ladakh in imagery would be reviewed with Meeting was attended by: To discuss modalities and future 100 countries. He also explained how partnership with the Department of the GIS expert and the differences department synergize the work. He also course of the management WWF-India's work is based on thematic 1. Mr. Najamul Saqib (NS). added that with the J& K government planning exercise for the wetlands Wildlife, J & K Govt. for its integration smoothened out before. Commissioner Cum Secretary areas of priority importance. He then in the larger conservation plan for there is a lot of potential and knowledge of Ladakh based on the ground added that globally the High Altitude l Once the frame work approved Forests, Govt of J&K. base which should also be tapped and work done by WWF-India. Ladakh. and expert committee formalized a Wetlands are of immense importance to 2. Mr. Saleem Baig (SB), DG Tourism used in the synergy building process. l Prospects for establishing Model l Develop and agree on the time line would be agreed upon WWF as a family and Ladakh is Govt. of J&K. JT quoted that the GIS data would have Community Based Tourism at framework for the management especially a priority landscape for WWF- l At the end of the agreed time line a to be re verified after ground truthing, to Tsomoriri & Tsokar jointly between plan. 3. Mr. R L Bharti, CWLW (RLB), India. larger consultation would be Department of Wildlife, J&K which WWF agreed that this exercise Department of Wildlife, Department l Constitute Expert group for writing SV made a presentation of the WWF- organized by WWF-India where in would be taken up. of Tourism and WWF-India with the management plan. all the representative stakeholders 4. Mr. Abhay Kumar (AK), Secretary India's intervention in Ladakh for the past partnership from Community trusts six years. Explaining that the initiative Regarding the Community Based l Procure and analyze GIS and other experts would be called Technical, Deptt. Of Forests, Govt and Hill council. was strategized after a National Tourism for Tsomoriri & Tsokar, AK imageries on land use in the past to review and give inputs on the of J&K. 86 Consultation where experts from all the stated that the Department has already 87 Discussion Points and changes now. draft management plan. prepared a plan for Tsomoriri and comments from WWF and WII have been to the detailed account of software and Agreements procured. He added that the same may hardware components given by SV Annex VI l Finally the process for be reviewed and submitted in during her presentation , PC informed management planning for the five consultation with WWF-India. PG replied that based on our experise in Ladakh selected wetlands in the Ladakh Meeting with Government of that the inputs / comments already given WWF is keen on taking the software region as presented by WWF - by WWF may be incorporated and component and would like to partner with India was agreed to. submitted to the Government. a local NGO for the hardware Jammu and Kashmir component. l A meeting in Late March with Dept PG informed that senior officials of 4 April 2006, Jammu of Wildlife for agreement on WWF-India recently held a meeting with RLB added that JLR is also looking at framework of the management the tourism ministry at Delhi. Accordingly developing an ecotourism concept for plan. he informed that Ministry of Tourism GOI Tsomoriri and possibly WWF could have Meeting was attended by: preparation o Management Plans. be part of the management plans. He is keen in funding a CBT project at a meeting with JLR and the departments further added that WWF has already l A meeting between JLR, WWF and 1. Mr. Najamul Saqib. (NS) l Prospects for establishing Tsomoriri and at Tsokar. of Wildlife and Tourism of J&K Govt and started the process of identifying the Dept of Wildlife and Tourism to Commissioner Cum Secretary Community Based Tourism at technical persons to be involved during develop a comprehensive CBT review and prepare a Forests, Govt of J&K. Tsomoriri & Tsokar in collaboration SB agreed that this is a good idea and the management planning exercise. component. comprehensive plan Tsomoriri & with Jungle Lodges and resorts. further folloup should be taken up. 2. S D Swantra, (SD) PCCF, J&K Tsokar. SK stressed on the need for longterm SK added that it would be the right Govt. Background: PC informed that there are two research studies. He explained the process and the meeting should be in components of this CBT initiative at 3. Vinay Luthra, (VL) Jungle Lodges AC made a detailed presentation on during the 2002 meeting organized by Jammu for all the people to be involved Tsomoriri and at Tsokar. There are and Resorts. various technical steps to be followed WII at Leh it was found that different in it. departments are working in isolation with Software as well ad hardware. Referring during the course of a effective 4. Mr. Saleem Baig (SB), DG Tourism management plan. each other. He also stressed that Wildlife Govt. of J&K. Department should be the lead in Follwed by Archana's presentation S preparation of the management plans. 5. Mr. R L Bharti, CWLW (RLB), Vidya made a presentation related to Department of Wildlife, J&K various technical issues on CBT in SV added that WWF also feels that Dapartment of Wildlife should be a Lead 6. Sataya Kumar (SK), Wildlife Ladakh. She also stressed on the in this process Institute of India, Dehradun. importance of organizations like JLR in making the ongoing CBT activities in NS expressed his satisfaction about the 7. Mr. Abhay Kumar (AK), Secretary Ladakh more successful. pace of work as a followup to the earlier Technical, Deptt. Of Forests, Govt meeting. He also stressed the need for of J&K. Discussion Points active involvement of Hill Council in this 8. Mr. Jigmet Takpa,( JT) Regional After both these presentations a process. Wildlife Warden, Leh, Department discussion was held on the various ideas RLB mentioned that a followup meeting of Wildlife Ptotection, J&K. thrown during the course of presentations. is being organized WWF representatives 9. Dr. Parikshit Gautam (PG), in the evening on the same day, as a Director, WWF-India. SB stressed the need that everybody's followup to this meeting. He also role must be defined very clearly. He informed that specific TOR's are being 10. Ms. Archana Chatterjee (AC), expressed his reservations about locals prepared for WWF as well as JLR. Senior Programme Coordinator, taking over the whole of CBT activities. Freshwater & Wetlands NS added that Ecotourism should be a Programme. VL explained about JLR's experiences in part of this management planning Karnataka and about how they used exercise. He further suggested that 11. Ms. Vidya. S. (SV), Coordinator, ecotourism as a strategy for forest smaller issues should be immediately Policy & Programme Development, conservation. He also gave examples of addressed and wildlife department needs WWF-India. Bhutan and Rawanda as a model to be to do the homework as early as possible. copied. 12. Mr. Pankaj Chandan (PC), Senior The meeting concluded with the Project Officer, WWF-India. SD explained various issues related to agreement to meet at Leh at convient threats to the breeding areas of Bar- dates to be decided by the participants in Agenda: headed Geese at Tsomoriri. the evening meeting. l Agreement on the process to be PG mentioned that WWF has already lot 88 followed during the course of 89 of information about the area and this will The monitoring component would identify this is linked to promotion of tourism He emphasized that it is crucial to submit Annex VII specific performance indicators. which is mandate of another Govt. Dept., the plan document as soon as possible it was clarified that the Management plan to the MoEF. While the detailed studies Mr.G.Areendran gave an overview of the would clearly demarcate the parameters required with respect to management Meeting with Chief Wildlife Warden, GIS work that has been carried out by under which tourism should operate in planning could be planned for future, the WWF-India on Ladakh wetlands with the fragile wetland be it by tourism immediate need is to prepare the basic focus on Tsomoriri. The Macro analysis Jammu & Kashmir department or by the tour operators. This document outlining the detailed studies clearly shows that the marshy areas the was extremely important to be put into and budgetary requirements. While 27 July 2006, New Delhi real wetlands on which species depend place to prevent unsustainable WWF-India agreed to the urgency of plan for breeding and feeding have been development of tourism as Tsomoriri. submission, it was emphasized that a reducing due to external pressures like 27 July, 2006, Board room WWF-India concept notes : work for production of the document, field visit by consultants during August is frequent change of guard in the CWLW, tourism and grazing. For management After these basic presentations, an open 11AM-1 PM 11:40 - 11:50 - Key species and their a prerequisite for formulating the basic J&K, has slowed the process plan preparation, satellite imageries are discussion took place. Mr. Srivastava conservation action plan, Dr. R. S. plan document. WWF-India was considerably. WWF-India had also sent being procured for detailed land use briefly apprised of his meeting at MoEF Participants: Chundawat, ISLT optimistic that basic plan documents analysis, breeding and feeding area for submission of the management plan the Terms of Reference and request for could be submitted to the department by Mr. A.K. Srivastava, CWLW, J&K demarcation, different zones like tourism for Tsomoriri. The submission of the plan 11:50 - 12:00 - GIS application for land- transfer of Rs 2 lakhs to Dept. WWF- middle of October 2006. Field visits have India has invested approximately Rs 9- infrastructure, wildlife, agriculture etc. for funding under the P.M.'s Dr. R.S.Chundawat, Wildlife expert use planning for Tsomoriri Mr. G. also been planned for this purpose Areendran, WWF-India 10 Lakhs by way of technical background reconstruction package for J&K is Ms Seema Bhatt, CBT expert working on between 15th August 15 September Ms Seema Bhatt, Consultant CBT studies, GIS-based assessments, field already delayed and he agreed that Tourism management plan component 2006. 12:00 - 12:10 - Tourism planning for surveys for collection of data, travel and action from department side has been Ms Archna Chatterjee, Senior emphasized the community based model Tsomoriri, Ms Seema Bhatt, Consultant meeting costs for organizing various delayed. He also informed that WWF- Archna Chatterjee thanked everyone for Programme Coordinator, FWP, WWF- of tourism to be most appropriate for meeting in Jammu and Leh with the India request for sanction of an amount attending the meeting and the meeting India 12:10 - 12:40 - Discussion Tsomoriri instead of infrastructure based Department. of Rs 2 Lakhs has been submitted by was closed. commercially exploitative tourism . In Ms S Vidya, Senior Programme 12:40 - 12:50 - Remarks by Mr. A. K. him to the Govt for clearance. Ms Vidya presented the Community response to a query by CWLW whether Coordinator, FWP, WWF-India Srivastava, CWLW, J&K based tourism frame work for Tsomoriri. Mr. G. Areendran, GIS Incharge, IGCMC, 12:50 - 1:00 - Conclusions It was emphasised that the Management WWF-India 1:00 PM - Lunch Plan would look closely at tourism management planning due to the fragile Mr. Pankaj Chandan, Project manager, Minutes of the meeting nature of wetland and tourism emerging Ladakh wetlands project, Leh, WWF- as a major threat. The focus would be on India After a brief round of introductions, Archna Chatterjee welcomed Mr. A.K. local communities generating livelihood AGENDA Srivastava and briefly explained the opportunities from sustainable tourism at purpose of the meeting. The main Tsomoriri. It was also explained that Setting the Context purpose was to provide an update on the WWF-India is helping the Tsomoriri Conservation Trust to establish ten 11:00 - 11:05 - Introduction by Management Planning process for homestays in Korzok village. Participants Tsomoriri that has been ongoing for past one and a half year, and to plan for next Dr Raghu Chundawat, Wildlife expert 11.05 - 11:10 - Introductory remarks steps in concurrence with CWLW J & K and Consultant to Management Planning WWF-India so that the requisite document could be for Tsomoriri presented briefly his ideas prepared without any delay. 11:10 - 11:20 - Introduction to WWF-India for scientific conservation plan for key project 'Conservation of high altitude Pankaj Chandan, presented the overview species. Dr Chundawat stressed that wetlands in Ladakh, Pankaj Chandan, of WWF-India project for conservation of instead of just key species, it would be WWF-India. high altitude wetlands in Ladakh followed better to work with communities viz. Breeding populations, feeding 11:20 - 11:30 - A snapshot of the by Archna Chatterjee presenting the populations. Not only wetland Management Planning progress so far in progress under the Management management but elements of watershed Tsomoriri, Archna Chatterjee, WWF-India Planning Component. WWF-India was invited by J&K Govt. in February 2005 to management are also crucial to 11:30 - 11:40 - CBT framework for prepare the Management Planning successful management. Species like Tsomoriri, S. Vidya, WWF-India document for Tsomoriri. While WWF- Kiang, Marmots and Tibetan Argali would 90 91 also be part of the plan. Tsomoriri Management planning India has been carrying out background management plan provides the which could give interest free loans issued for visiting Tsomoriri. An Annex VIII continuity. for this purpose. example of a bus load of film crew spoiling the lakeshore and Mr. Pankaj Chandan presented the l Pony Union of Korzok needs to be surroundings was explained. Management Planning Workshop inputs from the meeting held with the revived. First step to do complete community in Korzok village on 20th May listing and then register with Dept. l Lake water is used by livestock for Organised by Department of 2006. of Tourism. Also fix standard tariff drinking purpose. Water quality of for ALTOA to build these costs in the lake is impacted by pollution Overriding concern: Tourism to Tsomoriri their packages. such a vehicle washing, washing has increased over past years but the Wildlife Protection, J&K and WWF-India clothes etc. and this needs to be benefits have not come to villagers. l There was a concern that if taxis checked. Tourism at Tsomoriri should be are stopped before Tsomoriri then Forest Guest House, Leh, Ladakh, developed in a manner that benefits tourists may not come to Korzok at l Tsomoriri Conservation Trust is a 23rd May, 2006 should come to Korzok village. all so any regulatory mechanisms legally registered trust formed by Suggestions that came from the villagers need to be well thought of. people of Korzok. Lack of funds Participants 17. Dr. Raghu Chundawat, ISLC in April with the Commissioner and and their representatives are as follows: has restricted the activities of the Secretary Environment and Director l Taxi drivers need to be trained to 1. Mr. Jigmet Takpa, Regional Wildlife 18. Mr. Mohammed Abass, Range Trust. This could be effectively General Tourism at Jammu. They have l ALTOA's trekking route Rumtse- respect local laws and respect for Warden Ladakh. officer Forest (Changthang). used for providing support to all been in favour of a participatory Tsomoriri not favorable for Korzok the lake. villagers for developing sustainable 2. Mr. Saleem ul -Haq, Wildlife 19. Mr. Tsering Angchuk, Range management plan in which WWF-India as their horses are not used for the l Capacity building of local tourism. Other windows that exist Warden, Leh. Officer (Wildlife)Changthang would be the facilitating agency. The trek. One alternative is to change community specially women needs in village are the Panchayatetc. most recent meeting at Korzok with the trekking route and start from to be carried out for managing There is thus no need for building 3. Dr. Parikshit Gautam, Director, Introduction: Mr. Jigmet Takpa community and the experts sharing the Tomoriri or else the horses could home stays, camping, etc. any separate local institution. WWF-India welcomed the participants. Explained inputs was a very successful one and be taken to Rumtse at the pre initiative taken by the J & K Govt, which would pave way for a sound determined time to Rumtse. ALTOA Other concerns from Korzok inhabitants 4. Mr. Pankaj Chandan, Project l Increasing number of tourists leave is very unique and started during the management plan. With this he representative explained that Manager, WWF-India back lot of garbage. Villagers along welcomed all and thanked all the 1. Increasing number of wild animals tenure of Mr. C. M. Seth, when he was routes are chosen by the customer. with ITBP have been involved in participants. causes problem for livestock. 5. Ms. Vidya, Coordinator, WWF-India the CWLW. WWF-India was invited by However, if the horses from Korzok cleaning up the lake and its Compensation scheme has the J & K Government to develop the are registered with tourism dept. surrounding areas. Sporadic efforts 6. Ms. Archna Chatterjee, Senior Dr. Parikshit Gautam, Director WWF- stopped. Dept. of Wildlife management plan for the High Altitude and there is surety that horses by Dept. of Tourism and ALTOA Programme Coordinator, WWF- India added that it is for the first ever explained that govt. provides Goral Wetlands of Ladakh and WWF- India is would be readily provided then have also been taken up. India time in India where such a step is being Pens for protection of livestock taking the pioneer effort in the same. The ALTOA could devise a system that However with increasing number of taken to involve the stakeholders in the from attack by snow leopard, 7. Ms. Nisa Khatoon, Project Officer, uniqueness of Changthang, the precious the horses from Korzok are tourists a garbage management formulation of the management plan. wolves. WWF-India wetlands which are breeding ground for regularly used by them. system needs to be put in place. several birds is a heritage that needs to Ms. Archna Chatterjee presented the Example of a tour operator who 2. Kiangs destroy their winter 8. Mr. Phuntsog Tashi, Project Officer, l Home stays in Tsomoriri should be be conserved and managed well. For management planning framework. marks all tins before field visit and pastures. Fencing may be WWF-India. encouraged so that benefits of long it has not been managed properly recovers them upon return was provided. and there is no governing guideline or a Need for mgmt planning arises when the tourism come to the villagers. Dept. 9. Ms . Tashi Lashkit, WWF-India explained. Concern over the manager feels that unplanned activities of tourism explained the process of 3. Fencing to protect the agricultural management plan. This is the great bottles of mineral water left behind 10. Mr. Chotar Tsering, Korzok are hampering the environment and registration for receiving subsidy lands needs to be completed. opportunity, an initiative taken for was also expressed. Councilor Management of the wetland for finally affecting the people. for such efforts by the villagers. 4. Winter camp at Chumur : villagers prosperity and benefit of the l Three Self Help Groups were set 11. Mr. Gurmet Dorjay, TCT Korzok With a protected area status the Local l Camping and taxi movement could require water, request for 10 hand stakeholders. up in the village last year by the Community feels threatened that their be restricted towards beginning of pumps 12. Mr. Mehboot Ali, Tourist Officer women. Their request is for Government could do a restrictive rights would be taken away. It is here that Tsomoriri. Horses and yaks could support to set up a tea stall in the 5. LPG cylinders may be made management plan, but the department a well thought out management plan be used to come to the village and 13. Mr. Tsering Namgail, Secretary, village, set up a handicraft centre available to stop exploitation of wants to take a participatory approach, comes handy in achieving a balance enjoy the natural and cultural ALTOA in Korzok and provides channels local flora for fuel wood purposes. between the development and heritage. wants to take consensus of the for selling their wool. 14. Mr. Nawang Lundup, ALTOA conservation. 6. Medical centre stakeholders and inputs from experts in l Tents could be provided for the field so that a comprehensive plan is l Camping fee collection by the Trust 15. Ms. Seema Bhatt , Biodiversity The rotation and turnover in the villagers for gaining tourism 7. Telephone connection arrived at and all get the benefit. There needs to be streamlined. Consultant management could potentially cause benefits. Suggestion was made by were several meetings before this 8. Hand Pumps at various locations 92 conflicts and this is where a sound Dr. Hussain that a revolving fund l 93 16. Dr. S. A. Hussain, WII Control over the number of permits workshop including a high level one held could be created under the TCT during the rotation of Nomads. 9. Electricity connection in Korzok. Discussion points lead to improved environment. Mr. Takpa Identifying and Prioritizing issues for finding a solution on a scale of 1- 3 Generator has been provided, assured that he was committed to equal (1 is high priority, 3 is least priority) electric poles have been provided Mr. Takpa mentioned that for remote output and capacity of solar if the areas in Ladakh solar is the best and but the location of generator near community is interested. Issues Priority list the lake has been objected o by only option.The genset should be totally Korzok Village Councillor stressed on the Tourism benefit not reaching local community - not equitable : cost benefit sharing 1 Wildlife dept. After the meeting a removed as it causes noise and air fact that people's demand is for Lack of communication - dialogue among stakeholders 2 group of experts with Wildlife pollution. Korzok Councillor was immediate power and also apprehensive Lack of training / capacity building for all stakeholders 1 warden and village representatives requested to discuss with the villagers Feeder stream pollution 3 went to identify the alternative site. and the genset should be totally taken for long term functionality of the solar The site was identified and marked out and only solar should be used. Use power. Garbage at Tsomoriri, dumping of organic wastes very near the lake 1 to begin process of installation of of renewable and good energy would Damage to pasture land 1 / 2 the generator. Increase in water levels in the recent times 3 Crop raiding by the Bar-headed Geese 3 Issues Modus operandi for finding solution Lack of Interpretation Programme , 2 / 3 Loss of vegetation in the catchment area / alternate energy 1 Tourism benefit not reaching local community - To gain support from local community for the Infrastructure development around the lake - unplanned including Tourism 1 not equitable: cost benefit sharing conservation of the Lake. Interdepartmental coordination 1 Lack of communication Correct communication required for garnering greater support Guidelines on code of conduct of the tourist 1 Lack of training / capacity building Domestic tourist can be targeted by addressing the Taxi Lack of staff of enforcement, management , monitoring 1 drivers, Local community Lack of information base to develop future plan 2

Feeder stream pollution Health of Tsomoriri is affected by the stream health and hence Multiple entry points into the area 2 / 3 the same needs to addressed Long term Research & monitoring 3 Alternate livelihoods 2 Garbage at Tsomoriri, dumping of organic wastes very Target tourist, villagers, and operators. Strategy of dumping in near to the lake pits is not very advisable. Strengthening community institutions (monastery, trust, eco-development committee) 2 Address interest of nomadic community 3 Pollution levels at Tsomoriri Agriculture/ washing/bathing chemicals entering lake. As no outlets & levels of chemicals increase Based on above discussion a rough framework for Objectives Damage to pasture land Off track driving, wild domestic animal conflicts, domestic was arrived at, which is as follows: animals consuming the pasture land of the villagers, 1. Maintain the water quality of lake and its value. Increase in water levels in the recent times Drowning of the nests of the birds 2. Maintain biodiversity values. Crop raiding by the Bar-headed Geese Wild animal human conflicts 3. Maintain the scenic value of landscape. 4. To provide benefits of tourism to local community. Lack of Interpretation Programme Education on conservation / culture etc 5. To respect socio-cultural aspects of Korzok. Loss of vegetation in the catchment area Fuel wood extraction. 6. To empower local communities. Infrastructure development around the lake - Lack of Interdepartmental coordination 7. To ensure adequate resources. unplanned

Lack of guidelines for sustainable tourism Concerns from both sides, discussion to an ailing patient.. The participants Limiting factors: seasonality to continue and a final input to be animatedly contributed to the discussion Lack of adequate administrative support- staff Addressing resources, building capacity, adding staff Key elements: tourism management, resources and finances added to the plan in terms of energy and the table below summarises the for the village. The other option is issues identified with pointers to a including local economy, degradation of Lack of information base to develop future plan Collect already available, collate and collect LPG, but again there is no guarantee possible solution. pastures, health of local people Stocking capacity of the pasture land, carrying Trekking routes of the LPG reaching on time Tsomoriri is a Wetland of International Vision: Long-term conservation of capacity of tourism, Multiple entry points into the area. Session 1: importance a Ramsar site and thus it is Tsomoriri for maintaining its biodiversity Decline in Marmot population Trapping by laborers important to develop the management values and for ensuring long term Identifying issues and setting objectives plan within the ambit of the Ramsar benefits to local community. Inter Community differences in resources sharing for management planning Convention. Using the rough framework Objectives: This was a facilitated discussion. Dr. for objectives, the following Vision and Hussain, WII led the discussion in an specific objectives for management 1. To develop a comprehensive 94 9511 interesting manner comparing Tsomoriri planning were agreed to: tourism management plan for Tsomoriri with benefits going to the Village Korzok Issue Info available Info required Source of Info 2. To develop a catchment management plan to maintain the biodiversity value of Tsomoriri 5. Land use patterns Community records. Councillor Korzok. 3. To identify key species and develop specific conservation action plans Mapping pastures. /Revenue deptt. 6. Wildlife Status Issue Info available Info required Source of Info 1. Listing. 1. Tourism benefits to local 2. Distribution. community ; information on 3. Key Habitats. following components would 4. Population trends. be required: 5. Mapping of Biodiversity resources including catchments. 1.a. Horses Horses Listing of Horses at Korzok Councillor 4. To develop capacity building and total of 37,000 tourists came to Leh in Eco tourism policy for the whole Ladakh Horses Demand, Projection ALTOA training modules for all the 2005. As per govt policies areas up to region could be a pioneering effort in the 1.b. Home stays identified stakeholders. Nyoma may be opened up to tourism. J direction. Specific policies for Ladakh Home stays (number) Number of tourists permits issued DC’s Office & K has a tourism policy under which could be very difficult at State level. 5. To develop an interdisciplinary / Home stays (structure) Profile of the tourists WWF-India subsidies are given. There exists However at the council level developing interdepartmental coordinating Home stays (Training) Village profile – Number of people Type of training WWF-India categorization of developed and tourism policies for Ladakh within the body for monitoring management willing to take up home stays developing areas with respect to tourism overall framework would be a very good of Tsomoriri Home stay (resources) Dept of Wildlife in Ladakh. Leh for example falls into opportunity. 'Enterprising Ladakh', with developed area and no subsidies are focus on tourism is a forth coming policy, 1. c. Vehicles Session 2: Vehicles (number) Through number of permits issued Taxi Union / Dc’s thus available. Changthang falls into where these elements could be built in. office permits Information base for scientifically sound developing area for which govt. subsidies A discussion on the havoc being caused 1. d. Pollution management planning are available, however as of now by flush toilets in the fragile environment Garbage (quantity, type and Study on per camp / Dept of wildlife subsidies are reaching people and of Ladakh followed. Tour operators disposal mechanism) per month garbage This session was facilitated by Dr. R. Changthang community is not coming Chundawat, ISLT stressed that tourists look for such Water quality Information analysis WWF-India, WII forward. Loop holes in policies for amenities and would not accept Ladakhi Sources of pollution WII & WWF-India subsidies like minimum 8 beds, western Session 3 : Toilets. ALTOA, representatives toilets and running water as a 1.e. Carrying capacity committed to explore the environment Community Based Tourism strategies for requirement for giving loans for guest Carrying capacity of tourism Commission study Explore options for friendly toilets facilities available globally Tsomoriri: house etc, such a policy should be at Korzok including type of funding and / in other parts of the country. tourism resource persons thought into as this affects the Tourism dept. representative Mr. Development plans for Dept of wildlife and environment as well as the community Mr. Takpa was requested to elaborate on Mehboot Ali, began by giving current Tsomoriri DC’s office does not always have all the pre the role for Jungle Lodges and scenario in ladakh. He informed that a Alternate livelihood options Current livelihood practices WWF-India requisite for the loan. Resorts(JLR), Government of Karnataka (winter) New options of livelihood – feasibility study Roles and Responsibilities with timeframes for Drafting the plan 2. Health Existing disease / health profile Ladakh Disease prevention NGO– What Who / point responsibilities Team When Resources Dr. Norbu Operational 3. Alternate energy Families using , Govt subsidies, Dept of Wildlife Overall Facilitation WWF 8 months Energy profile Socio economic profile PRA report – WWF Nodal agency Dept of Wildlife Life long 4. Wildlife / livestock conflicts Information base Various as per list above 4.a Kiang Pasture conflict Livestock population PRA report – WWF Technical / Objectives Rebos location - GPS WWF-India To identify key species and develop specific ISLT WWF, DWL, Kiang Population Dept of wildlife conservation action plans WII Pasture locations WWF-India To develop a catchment management plan 4. b Livestock – Wolf Status, Population trends, distribution , Biological resource WWF, WII, Wildlife to maintain the biodiversity value of Tsomoriri 9611 listing , key habitats of wildlife mapping dept. 9711 enterprise , a company that has been identified in J& K . At policy level they the overall management plan could be invited by state govt. to develop were also preparing an ecotourism policy considered. ecotourism plan for Tsomoriri. Mr. Takpa for the J& K Govt. JLR has the explained that the role of JLR is as a expertise and their inputs could be used consultant and would be developing the considering the larger management tourism model for Tsomoriri including planning goal. The inputs provided in tourism plans for additional 3 sites tandem with the goal and objectives of

What Who / point responsibilities Team When Resources 1. Management of Water Quality WII WWF,DWL 2.. GIS data, land use guidelines, development planning To develop a comprehensive tourism SB WWF, Dept of management plan for Tsomoriri with benefits Tourism, going to the Village Korzok ALTOA, JLR, DWL Procedural Infrastructure & administration + inter DWL departmental coordination Biodiversity Expert

B U D G E T

98 Budget for the Activities Proposed in the Management Plan

S.No Activity Year Budget

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Five Grand Years Total (Rupees (Rupees in Lakhs) in Lakhs)

SOFTWARE COMPONENT

1 Biological Assessment

A Monitoring of breeding Population of Migatory Birds through annual counts 1 1 1 1 1 5

B Monitoring of large Mammals population by conducting annual surveys 2 2 2 2 2 10

C Assessment of Water Quality 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.5

D Identification of major habitat types 1 1 1 1 1 5 and its use

E Assessment of Pasture quality in the 1 1 1 1 1 5 catchments area of Tsomoriri and Tsokar basin

F Ecological impact of Developmental 2 2 2 2 2 10 Important Activities in the Catchment

Sub Total 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 37.5 37.5

2 Socio economic Assessments

A Monitoring of Livestock population & 1 1 1 1 1 5 Health

B Assessment of Socio-Economic status 1 1 1 1 1 5 of the local nomadic community

Sub Total 2 2 2 2 2 10 10

3 Research studies

A Study on Economic Evaluation of 2 3 5 Wetlands

B Study to determine the Carrying Capacity 3 3 6 of the area in terms for livestock population, tourist influx and other developmental activity

99 S.No Activity Year Budget S.No Activity Year Budget

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Five Grand 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Five Grand Years Total Years Total (Rupees (Rupees (Rupees (Rupees in Lakhs) in Lakhs) in Lakhs) in Lakhs)

C Study on Impact of Climate Change on 1 1 1 1 1 5 Management of Tsomoriri & Tsokar Wetlands Lake Basin.

D Study to assess the habitat requirement 2 4 4 10 Sub Total 12 1 1 5 2 21 21 of important breeding population such as 5 Training and Capacity Building the Black-necked Crane and Bar Headed (includes cross-site/exposure visits) Geese. A Training & Capacity Building Programmes 4 4 4 4 4 20 E Study on ecology of important carnivore 6 5 4 15 for Local communities to provide and ungulates species. opportunities for alternate livelihood . F Study on Bird flu and migration 1 1 1 1 4 B Training relevant to Community Based 2 2 2 6 G Impact of locusts on the ecosystem 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.5 Tourism

H Impacts of Tourism 1 1 1 1 1 5 C Training and Capacity building for tour 2 2 2 6 operators, cooks, guides I Study on human- wildlife Conflicts 4 4 2 10 D Teacher Training workshops to increase 2 2 2 2 2 10 J Study on Solid waste management 1 1 1 1 1 5 awareness about the conservation K Study on legal issues related to land 1 2 3 among the younger generation. tenure, customary rights etc E Training for Army/ ITBP/ to gain 1 1 1 1 1 5 Sub Total 16.5 26.5 15.5 8.5 3.5 70.5 70.5 supportto achieve conservation goals.

4 Application of Geographical F Training for wildlife staff in Wildlife 2 2 2 2 2 10 InformationSystem and Remote Monitoring and fields techniques. Sensing (GIS & RS) to strengthen G Training for wildlife staff in GIS and 2 2 2 6 Management Remote Sensing A Procurement of Satellite imageries 1 1 2 Sub Total 15 9 15 9 15 63 63 B Processing satellite Imageries to fulfill 2 2 4 6 Strengthening Participatory Management requirement. Natural Resource Management C Development of Layer such as land use, 4 4 A Strengthen community institutions e.g. 10 10 10 10 10 50 Habitat types, digital elevation Model etc. Conservation Management committees. D Topographic analysis and biodiversity 3 3 B Initiate Livestock Insurance/ 5 5 5 5 5 25 data base creation Compensation. E 3D surface view 1 1 C Programmes to encourage Community 2 2 2 2 2 10 F Field Surveys and ground truthing. 1 1 1 1 1 5 participation in nature conservation

G Annotion and Map Composition Sub Total 17 17 17 17 17 85 85

H Integration of biological, spatial and 1 1 2 7 Target Specific Education 100 socio-economic elements for & Awareness Programmes 101 S.No Activity Year Budget S.No Activity Year Budget

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Five Grand 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Five Grand Years Total Years Total (Rupees (Rupees (Rupees (Rupees in Lakhs) in Lakhs) in Lakhs) in Lakhs)

A For School Children 5 5 5 5 5 25 B Water conservation (artificial glaciers, 20 10 10 10 10 60 springs and streams, strengthen local B For Tourists 1 1 1 1 1 5 water management practices) C For Army and ITBP 1 1 1 1 1 5 C Development of nurseries, medicinal 10 5 5 5 5 30 D For Monasteries 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 2.5 plants, fodder species

E For Tour Operators 2 2 2 2 2 10 Sub Total 70 55 55 55 55 290 290

Sub Total 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5 47.5 47.5 2 Restoration and rehabilitation of endangered species 8 Communications A Restoration of key breeding areas of 15 15 15 15 15 75 75 A Publication of Education and Awareness 5 5 5 5 5 25 migratory birds Resource Material 3 Interpretation Centres and Programme B Scientific Reports 2 2 2 2 2 10 A Construction of Nature Interpretation 100 100 50 250 C Developmet of website, films, slide 10 20 5 5 5 45 Centre & Resource Centre at Leh for the shows and other Audio visual visitors,Tourists and General public for programmes. orientation/briefing before visiting the wetlands Sub Total 17 27 12 12 12 80 80 B Wetland Information Centre at Korzok 30 30 60 10 Database 0 C Wetland Information Centre at Thukjay 30 30 60 A Establish database at Leh 4 2 2 2 2 12 D Operational Cost 5 5 5 2 2 19 Sub Total 4 2 2 2 2 12 12 Sub Total 165 165 55 2 2 389 389 11 Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation of the Project 4 Manpower (Contractual staff)

A Tracking tool for assessment of 3 3 3 3 3 15 A Project Manager, GIS and RS specialist, 15 15 15 15 15 75 Performance Indicators, Management Community and Education &Awareness effectiveness specialist, Interpretation Centre officers(3), Computer operator , B External Evaluation 2 2 2 2 2 10 Clerk/steno, Accountant, wildlife/patrol Sub Total 5 5 5 5 5 25 25 guards (3+3), check post guards (3+3), Driver (2+2), office assistant/ peon, TOTAL SOFTWARE COMPONENT 451.5 chowkidars (2) HARDWARE COMPONENT Sub Total 15 15 15 15 15 75 75 1 Catchment Area Treatment 5 Camping Sites A Pasture development and Management 40 40 40 40 40 200 A Camp Site with basic facilities At Tsokar 40 30 10 0 0 80 in the catchment 100 hect of pasture (Pangonago) 102 @Rs. 2lac/ hect. 103 S.No Activity Year Budget S.No Activity Year Budget

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Five Grand 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Five Grand Years Total Years Total (Rupees (Rupees (Rupees (Rupees in Lakhs) in Lakhs) in Lakhs) in Lakhs)

B Solar Lighting, Local Toilets, 20 10 5 1 1 37 20 PTT’s for bird flu and migration studies 20 15 15 50 Garbage Bins at Tsokar. Sub Total 20 15 15 50 50 C Camp Site with basic facilities at 40 20 20 10 10 100 12 Research and Monitoring Labs Tsomoriri (Korzok) A Monitoring Station and Lab at Tsomoriri 50 50 D Solar Lighting, Local Toilets, 40 20 20 10 10 100 Garbage Bins at Tsomoriri B Monitoring Station and Lab at Tsokar 50 50

E Solid Waste Disposal (Transportation to 5 5 2 2 2 16 Sub Total 100 100 100 Leh after segregation at source and disposal using appropriate techniques) 13 GIS Lab and Database

Sub Total 145 85 57 23 23 333 333 A Workstation 20 20

6 Pollution Control 0 B Double tri linear colour scanner 5 5

A Infrastructure for Solid Waste 5 5 1 1 1 13 C Printer, Plotter 3 3 Management D GPS and DGPS 4 4 B Control direct sources of water pollution 2 2 1 1 1 7 E GIS / Image Processing Software: 6 6 Sub Total 7 7 2 2 2 20 20 ARC GIS 9.2 and ERDAS 9.0

7 Construction of Corral Pens, sheds to 5 5 5 2 2 19 F Operational Cost 5 5 5 5 5 25 reduce livestock depredation Sub Total 43 5 5 5 5 63 63 Sub Total 5 5 5 2 2 19 19 14 Three Checkposts 0 8 Support to Renewable energy 30 30 20 10 10 100 A Mahe 30 30 resources (wind, solar, energy efficient chullas, passive solar B Puga 23 23 heating) C Pangonago 20 20 Sub Total 30 30 20 10 10 100 100 Sub Total 73 0 0 0 0 73 73 9 Vehicles for Wildlife Staff 25 25 15 Two Inspection huts (Four-wheelers -4, Motorbikes-6) A Tsomoriri 25 25 50 Sub Total 25 25 25 B Tsokar 25 25 50 10 Field Equipments (Cameras, 20 20 Binoculars, GPS, Monitoring Kits, Sub Total 50 50 0 0 0 100 100 wireless sets) 16 Two Accommodation facilities for Sub Total 20 20 20 field personnel

11 Studies Using Platform Transmitter A Tsomoriri 15 15 30 Terminals 104 B Tsokar 15 15 30 105 S.No Activity Year Budget

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Five Grand Years Total (Rupees (Rupees in Lakhs) in Lakhs)

C Operational Costs for 14, 15 and 16 10 10 10 5 5 40

Sub Total 40 40 10 5 5 100 100

17 Livelihood improvement

A Community Based Tourism 30 30 40 20 10 130

B Promotion of Local Handicrafts 30 30 20 10 10 100

C Health 5 5 5 5 5 25

D Revolving fund 50 40 90

Sub Total 115 105 65 35 25 345 345

TOTAL HARDWARE COMPONENT : 2177 d n a n A GRAND TOTAL FOR SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE 2628.5 m a p u n A

: t i d e r C

o t o h P

Village Korzok near Tsomoriri

Cover Page:

Main picture: Tsokar; starting from left: Local Community at Korzok Village, Crane nest at Tsokar and Korzok Monastery.

Cover Inside: Black-necked Crane with a Chick.

All pictures credit: Pankaj Chandan/WWF-India.