Uttarakhand sets up 42 'forest labs' to study flora

DEHRADUN : The Uttarakhand forest department has established 42 field-based " ecological laboratories " across the state to monitor changes in its forests, which are being influenced by climate change , reports Shivani Azad.

These labs will provide crucial data on the impact of erratic climate patterns, including early flowering in species such as rhododendrons and Brahmakamal .

TOI had previously reported that unusually high temperatures in Uttarakhand, soaring beyond 42°C in recent summers, had affected the quality of the Dehraduni and Ramnagar litchis. The extreme heat left the fruits less juicy, with many appearing cracked and burnt. Similarly, rhododendrons, which typically bloom between Jan and March, have shown an abnormal blooming cycle in the Himalayan state-with flowers appearing both before and after their natural season. Experts warn that this irregularity could be linked to the loss of medicinal properties in the species.

N Bala, a senior scientist in the department of ecology and climate change at the Forest Research Institute, Uttarakhand, highlighted the importance of these ecological laboratories. "To better understand the effects of climate change, we need these labs - or conservation plots - which can be revisited every five years to maintain a continuous record of forest changes. Without this data, it's impossible to comprehend the ongoing transformations or to implement effective mitigation strategies," he said.

The ecological laboratories, also called "living laboratories," are distributed across various ecosystems, from the Terai region to alpine meadows, covering over 250 hectares (ha) of forest land.