National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) NMHS Annual Progress Report – Pro forma Kindly fill the NMHS Annual Progress Report segregated into the following 11 segments, as applicable to your project nature and outcomes. 1. Project Information 2. Project Site Details 3. Project Activities Chart w.r.t. Timeframe [Gantt or PERT] 4. Financial and Resource Information 5. Equipment and Asset Information 6. Expenditure Statement and Utilization Certificate (UC) 7. Project Beneficiary Groups 8. Project Progress Summary (as applicable to the project) 9. Project Linkages (with nearby Institutions/ State Agencies) 10. Additional (publication, recommendations, etc.) 11. Project Concluding Remark Please let us know in case of any query at: [email protected] Page | 1 NMHS Progress Report (Period from 01/04/2018 to 31/03/2019) 1. Project Information Project ID: NMHS/MG-2016/005/8502-7 Sanction Date: 31/03/2016 Sustainable use of Sikkim Himalayan Biodiversity for socio-economic development of mountain villages with special reference to Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Hippophae Project Title: salicifolia, Docynia indica and Rhus chinensis: Technology development, alternative livelihood and conservation. BTG: Conservation and Sustainable use of Biodiversity PI and Affiliation Dr. Dhani Raj Chhetri, Associate Professor, Department of Botany, Sikkim University (Institution): Name & Address Dr. Arun Chettri, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Sikkim University of the Co-PI, if Dr. Ghanashyam Sharma, Program Manager, The Mountain Institute of India any: Dr. Bharat Kumar Pradhan, Research Fellow, State Biodiversity Board, Department of Forest Environment and Wild Life Management, Govt. of Sikkim Structured Population assessment, Species abundance and Habitat suitability assessment for Rhus Abstract - chinensis and Hippophae salicifolia were carried out in Sikkim. A total of 90 individual detailing the of R. chinensis were inventoried from the predicted suitable habitat. The highest number current year of individual were recorded from West Sikkim (49 individuals) followed by 16 progress [Word Limit 250 words]: individuals each from North and East district and 9 individuals from South district of Sikkim. Similarly the very high and high suitability class had the highest number of individual (73 individuals) indicating high species abundance compared to medium (12 individuals), low (4 individual) and very low (1 individual) habitat suitability class (Table 1). However the linear regression model showed a weak positive correlation between species abundance and probability values (r=0.223, p=0.472). Moreover the current distribution of caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) in Sikkim is not clear nor do we know the potential impact of climate change on distribution of species. Therefore in this regard we used MaxEnt modeling to predict the present and future distributions of caterpillar fungus in four future climate change trajectories (viz. RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0 and RCP_8.5) for the year 2050. The result of which only 311 km2 area (4.77 % of total area) were predicted to be suitable under current climatic condition. Under future climate change scenario the suitable habitat of caterpillar fungus would gets drastically reduced (RCP_2.6, RCP_4.5 and RCP_8.5) with a minor expansion (i.e. ~71 km2) in addition to current potential suitable habitat under scenario RCP_6.0. Niche overlap analysis resulted in more than 90 % overlap among current and future distribution of species. The existing PAs accounts for only 0.54 % (~35 km2) of the total area of state of Sikkim and 1.64 % of the total area of PAs and shows variability in suitable habitat under climate change scenario. Therefore establishment of new PAs especially towards far east and northeast region of Sikkim could be an alternative measure for conservation of suitable habitat of caterpillar fungus. Alternatively trans- boundary conservation programs connecting country like Bhutan in the East, Nepal in the Page | 2 West and Tibet in the North of Sikkim could be a viable long term alternative plan for conservation of species. From the fruits of Docynia indica products like jam, jelly, pickle were developed which lead to mobilization of farming community. The products were further analyzed for nutritional and biochemical properties using traditional method and in laboratory. Propagation technologies based on seed germination/stem cutting were developed for Rhus, Docynia and Hippophae species (03 species). Package of practices for Rhus, Docynia species were developed. The second multi-institutional brain storming meeting/consultation programme were organised with involvement of various stake holders such as NTFP (Non-timber forest produce) division of FEWMD, RCIBSD (Regional centre for Institute of Bioresource and sustainable development), WWF, SSOCA (Sikkim state organic certification agency), SIMFED (Sikkim marketing federation). Networking with SSOCA for organic certification of products from D. indica and R. chinensis prepared using traditional methods. A total of 40 households were surveyed in north district and the information were gathered for O. sinensis species using semi-structured format. Likewise 45 households were surveyed in east district for R. chinensis and D. indica. Economic valuation analysis is under preparation for O. sinensis, D. indica and R. chinensis. Process documentation (video) were done for juice making from H. salicifolia. Filed visit to Lachen, Lacung for Ophiocordyceps sinensis commercialization prospects through legal means in Sikkim have been conducted. Price of O. sinensis ranged from Rs. 70 to 110/- per piece. The volume of collection this time was over 30 kg from Lachung whereas it exceeded 50 kg in Lachen. It was further revealed that some people even sold it for Rs. 50/- per piece due to high volume of collections. Field tour to Khecheopalri West Sikkim was conducted to and identified the different habitats of Docynia indica (Mel) and Rhus chinensis (Bhakmilo). We surveyed the village households aiming to study the present status of Mel and Bhakmilo cultivation, processing, their use, products preparation etc., and also verified people’s approach on the prospects of marketing of above mentioned crops. Similar visits were conducted in Kabi - Tingta North Sikkim to identify the habitats of Mel and Bhakmilo, the present status of Mel and Bhakmilo plant cultivation, fruit processing and use. Apart from that survey were conducted on various product development, prospects, use, and marketing. One day training and capacity building programme were organised on processing of mel at Sumik-Khamdong involving local Self Help Groups members and other community representatives. Additionally we also provided training to the women groups on mel pickle making using available ingredients. Apart from such capacity building programme a one day national conference were organised by Sikkim University in collaboration with The Mountain Institute India (TMI) and State Biodiversity Board, Sikkim (SBB) on a subject entitled 'Himalayan Medicinal Plants for medicine and health: a way forward' on 29th March, 2019. Page | 3 Project Partner Affiliations Role & Responsibilities Name 1. Population and habitat assessment, ecological niche modelling and conservation of Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Docynia indica and Rhus chinensis in the Sikkim Himalaya Dr. Dhani Raj Acitvity: a. Field survey in the study sites b. Chhetri, (PI), Ecological Niche Modelling Associate Professor 2. Nutritional analysis and protocol & Sikkim University (SU) development of Hippophae salicifolia, Dr. Arun Chettri Docynia indica and Rhus chinensis for value (Co-I) addition of products Assistant Professor, Sikkim University a. Bio-chemical analysis of the fruits of Hippophae salicifolia, Docynia indica and Rhus chinensis b. Organization of workshops, conference at the end of the project tenure 1. Development of propagation technology and technology transfer for Hippophae salicifolia, Docynia indica and Rhus chinensis for value addition of products Dr. Ghanashyam The Mountain Institute India (TMI) Sharma (Co-I), Activity: Standardization of propagation Program Manager techniques Additional activity: a. Involvement of communities in product exhibition during agricultural and organic fair organized by the State Government. 1. Development of Policy guidelines for the entire value chain by involving relevant government and other associated agencies Activity: a. Multi-institutional consultation with relevant agencies including government line department such as Agriculture/Horticulture/Industries Dr. Bharat Kumar State Biodiversity Board, Department Department of the Government of Sikkim Pradhan (Co-I), of Forest Environment and Wild Life b. Establishment of mechanism of organic Research Fellow Management, Govt. of Sikkim certification in collaboration with the Directorate of Organic Mission of Agriculture and Cash Crop Development Department, Government of Sikkim. 2. Value chain analysis, establishment of forward and backward linkages, and prospects of Access and Benefit Sharing of the selected species 3. Development of guidelines for the entire Page | 4 value chain in collaboration with the relevant government and other marketing agencies. Additional activity: a. Establishment of market linkage between communities and companies b. Community involvement in ABS negotiation process. 2. Project Site Details Project study sites Table 1 IHR States Covered Sikkim Longitude and Latitude Table 1 Site Maps Figure 1 Site