Ecological Assessment and Prioritization of Floristic Diversity: Developing Conservation Strategies for Shimla Water Catchment Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh.
Principal Investigator: Dr. K.S. Kapoor, Scientist-F

Duration: 3 years (April, 2014 - March, 2017)
Total Cost: Rs 8.84 Lakhs
Funding Agency: G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Almora (UA)

Objectives:
• Field testing of genotypes.
• Developing mapping population between genotypes with high seed oil content and genotypes with varying percentage of female flowers.

Progress
• To assess the floristic diversity of the sanctuary area, status and distribution pattern native and endemic species of the sanctuary
• To identify the threat category/ status of the floristic diversity of the area and to prioritize potential habitat, community and species for developing conservation strategies of the species in the sanctuary.
• To document the species of ethanobotanical importance and traditional knowledge.
• To mark some permanent plots for long term ecological monitoring to assess the impact of the climate change.