Grassroots action in Northern India

Sarmoli-Jainti is situated in the Western Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, northern India, and is the site of a grassroots action project that has been mobilised to promote the conservation of Galliformes and their habitats. Covering a region of 20km2, the project area includes the joint Village Forest of Sarmoli and Jainti villages, and a major portion of the Khalia Reserve Forest Block. As well as a high diversity of plant-life, the region is home to ten species of Galliformes, including satyr tragopan, Himalayan monal, snow partridge and koklass pheasant.

The WPA-India project aims to develop a sound management strategy and facilitate action to conserve the rich diversity of Galliformes. The local community are encouraged to be involved in concerted efforts with the Forest Department in the hope of creating an understanding of habitat loss and disturbance, raising local awareness and building a conservation constituency. The support of the Forest Department has been clearly demonstrated by a grant of £20,000 for community-tourism development and nature interpretation activities and the Indian government is also providing funds.

The long-term success of the project greatly depends on the local community receiving benefits from their conservation actions. These actions include a community enforced ban on hunting for a three year trial period; the protection of roosting sites and newly created corridors; home-stay arrangements with local families provide bed and breakfast facilities to visiting tourists; and a school outreach programme, increasing the awareness of pheasant conservation to the younger generation. Further surveys are also being conducted on the ecology of the birds, such as where each species is found during winter and the breeding season, as well as the direct impact of human pressures on pheasants and their habitats.