How the Himalayas are being restored through participatory forest management

The Indian Himalayas, celebrated for its majestic landscapes and ecological significance, faces formidable environmental challenges from the ongoing climate crisis. Extreme weather events; geological hazards, exacerbated by deforestation and unplanned construction activities; and socioeconomic pressures, such as population growth, put the region at great risk.

While this area is unique in many ways, it is not unique in the challenges it faces. These hardships are now all too common across countless countries and communities globally.

The good news is that, through Surya-Kunj, a 71-acre eco-restoration site established in 1992 at the Govind Ballabh Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE) in Almora, India, we have a powerful example of the power of restoration. Its success demonstrates how leveraging community engagement can transform barren land into thriving, biodiverse landscapes while sparking positive social change.

What once was an area characterized by highly degraded grazing land interspersed with pine trees and shrubs, Surya-Kunj has been transformed into a vibrant hub of biodiversity and environmental education.

The success of Surya-Kunj is rooted in balancing ecological restoration with the community’s needs – emphasizing a strong sense of ownership and stewardship among the local population, who drive the project’s success.

This approach involves combining what most think of when it comes to restoration – afforestation, soil conservation and water resource management – with community engagement, sustainable income generation and educational outreach to drive meaningful environmental and social change.

Community engagement takes many shapes for Surya-Kunj, such as providing access to non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for residents, which has transformed it into a thriving community centre.

The power of community engagement was exemplified this year when a forest fire ripped through the area. Immediately after, during the traditional festival of Harela – which translates to a 'Day of Green' – the community came together to plant trees and restore the area, exemplifying its commitment to restoration and its ability to overcome adversity. This also highlights how the cultural aspect could blend with the collective responsibility for the sake of the environment.

In terms of education, Surya-Kunj has evolved into a vibrant learning centre offering nature camps, interactive workshops and training in sustainable forestry practices. The site features an impressive arboretum with over 100 woody plant species, a herbal garden showcasing medicinal plants and various laboratories for quality control and soil analysis. The Nature Interpretation and Learning Centre (NILC) promotes conservation awareness and provides hands-on exposure to Himalayan biodiversity. It also organizes training courses for farmers, researchers, government officials, students, teachers and NGOs, enhancing conservation efforts across the region.

Equipped with lecture halls, an information lounge, accommodation and other facilities, the NILC aims to ignite young minds by integrating conservation sciences with societal needs. Surya-Kunj has trained over 150 young individuals in green skills and sensitized more than 10,000 school students, enhancing their employability and nurturing a new generation of environmental stewards.

The success of Surya-Kunj is evident both ecologically and socially. The site's rich plant diversity now attracts various fauna, significantly enhancing the region's ecological value. With over 100 woody species, 26 shrub species and a medicinal plant garden featuring 90 species, Surya-Kunj serves as a live repository for Himalayan medicinal plants. The area has also seen a significant increase in bird and butterfly diversity, with over 160 bird species and 80 butterfly species recorded. The site also contributes to carbon sequestration, highlighting its role in combating climate change (see Figure below).

On the social front, restoration efforts at Surya-Kunj have improved resource availability, reducing the burden on women, who previously spent long hours collecting fuel wood and fodder. This allows more time for personal development and other livelihood activities, enhancing the socio-economic status of the local community.

Additionally, Surya-Kunj supports various socio-economic development projects through the distribution of high-quality seedlings and saplings and it fosters sustainable income streams through ecotourism, creating job opportunities and reinvesting revenue into further conservation efforts.

As we move forward in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the urgency for global investment and incentives dedicated to ecosystem restoration becomes even clearer. Restoring ecosystems is not merely a regional concern, it's a global imperative. These ecosystems provide measurable benefits and hold immense intrinsic and existential value. Preserving them is crucial for maintaining the natural heritage and cultural significance that enrich our global community.

Surya-Kunj is a living example of how community-led initiatives can drive meaningful environmental and social change. Its success story serves as an inspiration for communities around the world to embark on their own journeys of nature restoration.

Learn more about Surya-Kunj on Restor.

This case study is part of a World Economic Forum spotlight series highlighting the importance of nature on communities and human wellbeing. Each piece in this series showcases a different community and the nature it depends on, along with the stewards working to protect and restore our natural environments.

These pieces are authored by project leaders and local leaders with Restor, an online platform that provides connectivity and transparency to thousands of conservation and restoration projects globally. Restor partners with the world’s most impactful organizations to build a restoration movement, including 1t.org, which is part of the World Economic Forum’s efforts to accelerate nature-based solutions. It was set up to support the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Dr Indra Datt Bhatt, Scientist-G, Centre Head at the Centre for Biodiversity and Management and Govind Ballabh from the Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Almora, India also contributed to this piece.