ROLE OF ETHNIC TRIBES IN CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY OF “GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK”—A PARADISE WAITING TO BE EXPLORED

Himalayas have been source of inspiration for millennia to countless individuals. They are largest, tallest, geographically youngest mountains on earth, also most fragile mountain regions of  world and hold enormous repository of biological diversity which is increasingly under pressure from human activities. Unique ecological aspects of western Himalayas led to creation of Great Himalayan National Park.Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India,  constituted in 1984, GHNP was  declared  National Park in 1999, covering  area of 754.4 sq kms. In 1994, two major changes were made in land use around Park.Buffer zone of 5 km from Park’s western boundary, covering 265.6 sq km. including 2,300 households in 160 villages,  delineated as  Ecozone. Most of  population (about 16,000 people) in Ecozone are poor and dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods. Most of Himalayan fauna has been given protection under high priority protection category of Schedule I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.