CONCEPT NOTE

Non-Residential Training Program for Ecosystem Education

BACKGROUND

Nature restoration is the process of ecosystem restoration too and is defined as 'the process of assisting ecosystem recovery that has
been degraded, damaged, or destroyed', according to the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER, 2002). There is global consensus
that ecosystem restoration is pivotal to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) pertaining to food and water
security, economic upliftment, climate change, and biodiversity conservation (UNEP, 2021; Dasgupta, 2021; IPBES, 2019). The
United Nations General Assembly, on 1st March 2019, declared 2021-30 as the 'Decade on Ecosystem Restoration', with the common
goal of 'preventing, halting, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide'. Ecological restoration requires a multi-
disciplinary approach, covering soil science, hydrology, conservation biology, and sociobiology (Aradottir and Hagen, 2013). It can
lead to an increase in biodiversity value and enhance the supply of ecosystem goods and services, such as improved nutrient cycling,
water retention, pollination, regulation of soil erosion, carbon sequestration, pest control, provision of water, recreation, etc. (Jones,
2013).

In 2010, the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO) guided a grassroots level ecosystem
restoration initiative with the Uttarakhand Forest Department, along an approximately 5 km stretch of a sub-tributary of the Yamuna
River that flows through the Asharodi watershed to join the Asan River. Based on the concept of 'System Recharging: Inclusive
Growth', a multi-pronged approach that included engineering, vegetative, and social measures, was adopted. There has been a
perceived improvement in the habitat quality and riverine characteristics with respect to biodiversity, both floral and faunal, and
stream discharge.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants will include representatives and officials from the Forest Department and development agencies.
LOCATION AND TIME

The training program will be held for a period of 3 days from _________ at the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation
Organization (HESCO) in Dehradun.

OBJECTIVES

The model discussed above in background has triggered various discussions and debates too. Besides being adopted by various
communities and groups, this also necessitates major inputs such as:

 To create it as a ‘Centre for Excellence’ on ecosystem development.

 A training for exposure to different development agencies especially Forest Department officials.
 Open ecosystem for masses/public/eco-tourists. Such an initiative will be helpful especially when ecological disasters and
crisis are taking a major attention in the world. An inclusive approach for ecosystem development will be very important and
this model which has been jointly developed has another important feature that can be highlighted.
 Firstly, it is a joint initiative between the forest department and civil society.
 Another important feature is that there is an intense community participation in this model. The community around Shuklapur
has been constantly a part of this initiative.
 Third, the product of this ecosystem intervention is shared not merely by the place where it was undertaken but 18 villages all
through this river which came out of this intervention have been benefitting. So, these features also make this initiative very
important.
 Currently, it is to be understood that the central community for all kind of growth is water. One very simple initiative was taken
in the beginning by HESCO and the Forest Department to increase water riverines through developing the water holes. This
did a miracle as this was followed by not only the natural growth of the forests but the river that was at the edge of drying up
returned, and besides this a more important quote here is that not only vegetation and river came back but the whole ecosystem
also included the other wildlife. Since the food chain returned within the ecosystem herbivores to carnivores to top carnivores
are now seen in this piece of ecosystem. Here, right from the rabbit to wild boar to local deer and leopards are seen but at the
same time more than 100 bird species have also begin to make their nest here. This example is important when we are trying to
find out a very appropriate model for ecosystem growth which is very inclusive in nature. This may be a very good example
not only for the Forest Department but for different development agencies which may be devoted to growth of ecosystem as
 the central community for all ecosystems is water. So, having this ecosystem as a ‘Centre for Excellence’ for ecosystem
learning will be a very good initiative where the training for the Forest Department officials and other development partners
can be conducted and a centre for constant research and development which is community based participatory in nature where
science of nature is understood and being used for improving the whole environment will be a very important initiative.
 Fourth, ‘Centre for Excellence for Natural Forestry’ which is proposed a 10 hectare of land within Dehradun can be selected to
take up an experiment where only the water riverine will be improved and proper water conservation practices will be involved
and a constant study of the system for growth of other species. This can be done at three altitudes, a lower altitude, altitude
where the ________ has taken a larger cover, and at the top which is a barren land. At three such places such an experiment
can be done and Centre for Excellence will be one partner to control the growth of such natural forestry.

PROPOSED NON-RESIDENTIAL TRAINING PROGRAM

S. Name of Training Mode of No. of Duration Place Tentative Training Program Coordinator
No. Program Training Participants (in Days) Date Fees
1. Physical study of Physical 30 1 HESCO,
recharging structures Dehradun

a. Identification of Physical 30 1 HESCO,

recharging zones Dehradun

b. Identification of suitable Physical 30 1 HESCO,

location for recharging Dehradun
structures i.e., water hole,
percolation pond, gabion
gully plugging, gabion
dam

c. Identification of suitable Physical 30 1 HESCO,

grass for soil binding in Dehradun
 different climatic zones

2. Catchment study Physical 30 1 HESCO,

Dehradun
a. Study of engineering Physical 30 1 HESCO,
measures Dehradun

b. Study of location specific Physical 30 1 HESCO,

vegetative measures in Dehradun
the prospective of water
recharge

c. Community participation Physical 30 1 HESCO,

exercise Dehradun

FOR INFORMATION

For more information about this training program, please contact: