Eco Report of the area - IIT Mandi

slopes, the cultivation is rain-fed. Lands within Hilog and Salgi have been converted to pasture and
agro-forestry, largely for tree-fodder, during the past 50 years.
The Ecological Management Plan (EMP) has been outlined keeping in view the biodiversity wealth
of the Campus and surrounding landscapes, the fragility of mountain ecosystems, its people, their
livelihoods and the academic vision of IIT Mandi. Acknowledging that there is deficiency in
information on the flora and fauna of the Campus and the ecosystem processes that sustain the
biodiversity, the EMP provides a road map to development of the IIT Mandi, taking adequate
precautions such that the long-term ecological, social and academic goals are not compromised.
The EMP is elaborated within the framework of the proposed objectives that have been
consolidated as under.
Land use and infrastructure development on the Campus (both short-term and long-term) should
be guided by ecosystem principles that govern fragile mountain and riparian ecosystems. The
following are the 4 main guiding principles to be adopted while planning the land use and
infrastructure development:
1. As far as possible restrict the buildings to the flat areas that have already been used by the
Animal Husbandry Department
2. As far as possible do not disturb the vegetation on the slopes, ridges and riparian gorges
3. Neither the nallah nor the river Uhl should be burdened with the task of waste water
disposal
4. The Campus cannot be managed as an island insulated from the rest of the landscape.
The location and clustering of buildings are proposed adopting the four guiding principles. Locating
the Administration Building and the associated infrastructure at Gharpa (south) is strategically ideal
as it oversees the rest of the Campus, especially the lecture halls and laboratories within the Hilog
flat areas. The International Center (including the Guest Houses) is also being proposed at Gharpa
(north). This is a scenic location from where it is easy to have a good view of the valley. Moreover,
it will be compatible with the overall serene ambience of the Temple.
The hostels and other residential facilities have been located closer to the villages at Salgi (north)
and Mayal. These areas are farther away from the forests thereby reducing the chances of
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