1) The document discusses the natural landscape of Uttarakhand (Devbhoomi), known for its Himalayan peaks and forests. 2) It describes various human activities like deforestation, wildfires, pollution, mining, and overtourism that are degrading the ecosystem and environment. 3) These disturbances are causing problems like water shortages, landslides, and making the region more vulnerable to climate events like cloudbursts. Conservation efforts are needed to restore balance.

1. DEVBHOOMI ...Piloting an approach to
landscape conservation
By - Tanisha Tewari

3. This report is about the changes and disruptions occurring in
the Devbhoomi , which I have personally experienced being a
kumaoni. It explains the natural landscape of this beautiful
state and the disruptions degrading the ecosystem and natural
landscape of this gratifying state.
PROLOGUE
This report winds up with a solicitation to
conserve the breath of ‘The Devbhoomi’.
Uttarakhand.
The distruction and detoriation of
natural landscape , an important aspect
being the life breath of the devbhoomi
inspired me to bring the present senario
under lights of action.
The devboomi, asking for consternation
and my great affection towards nature
and it’s beauty pulled my concentration
towards it. I would like to thank my
parents for their endless support and
encouragement.
.

5. OBJECTIVE
This research was to understand the importance of
landscape and the admirable beauty of nature which is
degrading day by day in Uttarakhand and it’s effects.
NATURAL LANDSCAPE OF DEVBHOOMI …
Landscape is the interaction between people , place and ecosystem and offers
aesthetic enjoyment, escapism, tranquility, and sense of belonging to an area
with distinct natural and cultural identity.
Devbhoomi.. Uttarakhand (The land of gods), state of natural beauty and
homely calm. The scenic view and traditional touch blends with each other.
Both the Kumaon and Garhwal regions bound with each other and heave the
beauty. The natural landscape of soaring Himalayan peaks and steamy lowland
jungles make it feel like heaven but due to regular interruptions of humans ,
this place is losing it’s accord . Nainital , Masoori , Almora , Ranikhet , kausani
are the most popular hill stations , but careless application of technology is
leading to eco-degradation ,population and pollution. Problem of water
shortage, extreme weather events such as cloud burst, erratic rainfall ,
unpredictable temperature ,etc are from last 8 to 10 years due to manmade
disturbances and now the people should realize it before it’s too late.
“The earth provides enough for every
man’s need but not for every man’s greed”
Mahatma Gandhi
Hill Stations Population rate 2001 2011
Nainital district 25.13% 762909 954605
Almora district 6.17% 630567 622506
Ranikhet 15% 19049 55000

7. FACTORS EFFECTING DEVBHOOMI :
The people of Uttarakhand who once actively participated in chipko movement (1973)are now
themselves cutting and burning their own forests and grasslands, especially the villages
experiencing need of grass for animal husbandry . Human caused wildfire and naturally caused
wildfire , both always cause a great loss of forest land as well as living organisms associated with
them. It has negative ecological effects. When asked about the firing of forests the answer was
‘Yao bhal aur nai ghas liji kar rakho’ (it is for ground clearing and for new grass naturally grown in
monsoon ). Villagers are sometimes unaware of it’s concomitants and their irresponsible
behavior make the nature suffer.
Irresponsible nature of tourists.
Devbhoomi is associated with many religious beliefs and nature lovers find the divinity in the
rich expanse of endless natural beauty here. Both gods and power of nature inspires people here.
Pilgrims going for char dham yatra, ie; Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and tourists in
such and many other places unfortunately create havoc and make spots filled with sweepings .
The beautiful places are made ugly by littering etc.
Regular deforestation and wild fire.
Increasing Pollution
According to Environment protection and control this state is increasingly bearing the brunt of
pollution .In 2012 nearly 15 lakh pilgrims visited the state for char dham yatra and pollution level
increases even more. The sacred river Ganga is getting polluted even after so many efforts of
government. The ground water level is waning and CO2 pollution from fossil fuels is raising .
Public and industrial waste are dump, despite of frequent public awareness campaigns.

9. Illegal mining , Quarrying , .
Despite in ban on mining ,the sand mafia continues to operate . When disaster stuck in
Uttarakhand , environment activists and experts exclaimed that it was due rampant mining that
the scale of damage was so extensive . Mining activities lead to soil erosion as well as
desertification and make the state vulnerable to natural calamities. It give rise to landslides and
many times block rivers which further causes flood, eg. Alakhananda flood in in 1970.
Global warming
The climate expert and existing theories stated that tributaries are drying up and only to be
revived in monsoon and more than 1.4 billion people depend on water from Himalayas. Mrs.
Anuradha Pandey of UEEC said ‘ now it never snows in Almora anymore’ . recent studies found
that it has not snowed in Almora for 3 to 4 years and it is important source of water for farmers.
Desertification
Many limestone industries have caused sever damage to the environment and loss of top soil
with lowering to water table. Further the plants show defoliation . The construction of hill roads
involve blasting and cutting of slopes which in turn destroy the vegetation and causes erosion.

11. CONCLUSION
All above disturbing activities are affecting the ecosystem and its components, resulting the degradation of landscape and natural
environment of uttarakhand . Research of Indi-German Environment Program found that in the fragile ecological zone and in the
hilly areas of Uttarakhand , human activities, including agriculture cause extensive land degradation which ,in turn , adversely affect
water retention and recharge. The problem of water shortage, exacerbated by extreme weather events such as cloud burst , erratic
rainfall , unpredictable temperature ,etc, leads to detrimental effects on local people, tourists and the nature. So now it’s the time to
realize the responsibility and bring back the accord of Devbhoomi.
INTERPRETATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS
Suggestions which may help in maintaining the ecological balance in Devbhoomi are : afforestation by encouraging the plantation
of mixed trees, both conifers and broad- leaves. Ban on cutting trees on slopes as well as ban on ill legal mining. Overcrowding of
tourists in well known hill stations should be avoided.
REFERENCES
N.N Negi , Himalayan forest
Shah S.D bhatt , Himalaya environment and development , Almora.
ueppcb.uk.com