Eco Report of the area - IIT Mandi

Present Study: Duration and Approach
An ecological study was undertaken in March 2010. The field study that was led by Care Earth
Trust was spread over 17 days (March 10-27, 2010) and involved a team of ecologists and
foresters (see Project Team for details). The study adopted the following approach:
Compile available information on ecology and biodiversity of the landscape from various
sources such as the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun (Jayapal and Ramesh, 2009;
Jishtu et al, 2007; Rawat, 1997 & 2007), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (Das et al,
2007; Katiha et al, 2009; Moza and Mishra, 2009; Pathak and Tyagi, 2009) and Zoological
Survey of India (Director, 2005).
Visit the various habitats in and around the Campus and assess the biodiversity and the
apparent ecological processes that govern them.
Map the topography and current land use of the Campus and surrounding landscape.
Visit the neighboring villages and conduct interactive meetings to document peoples’ views
and concerns about the establishment and long-term impacts of an educational institution.
Meet with officials of the Forest Department to understand the history of the forests and
their views on sustainable management and ecological restoration of the vegetation within
the Campus and surrounding areas.
Review the proposed land use and infrastructure development (eg IIT Roorkee, 2009;
Vaidya & Associates and Space Matrix, 2009) for their ecological appropriateness.
History of land use
Agrarian and pastoral villages including Kamandh, Siram, Salgi, Hilog, Gharpa, Khara and Kani
have had a historical influence on the Campus. Other than these villages, Chargha and Mayal are
localities that are marked in the revenue map, although at present there is no human habitation
here. According to the local residents, the villages Salgi, Hilog and Gharpa were handed over to
the Animal Husbandry Department (HP) by the government around 50 years ago. These areas that
are largely flat have since been used for intensive grazing and agro-forestry. There are also many
buildings, including cattle-sheds, built by the Animal Husbandry Department strewn across these
flat table lands that have been abandoned recently. Whereas Salgi and Hilog are mostly confined
to the table lands that lie south of the nallah and east of the river Uhl, Gharpa is on the north,
overhanging the river Uhl and the nallah, and at a higher elevation (around 1100m ASL).
The Gharpa table land presently accommodates a temple within the northern part of it
(31.78001 o N; 76.98728 o E) and (what appeared like) the administrative buildings of the Animal
Husbandry Department in the south (31.77712 o N; 76.98463 o E). The two fragments of table land
are divided by a ridge, yet connected by foot paths; the longer one (cemented) that passes the
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