Local Socio-Economic Dynamics Shaping Forest Ecosystems …
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markets of South East Asian countries. Major share of tradable lichen species come
from the mixed broad-leaved moist temperate forests. During our field surveys it
was observed that lichens collected from Central Himalayan forests gets maximum
profit in local mandis. Parmeliaceae and Physciaceae families are most commercially
preferred and exploited species of lichens from the study area. Lichen is an important
NTFP collected by locals as well as Nepali immigrants and more than 800 metric
tons of lichens are reported to be collected from the study area. 50–80 tons of lichens
is reported to be exported to neighbouring as well as European countries (Shah
1997). Almost a decade back lichen was fetching Rs. 30/kg (Upreti et al. 2005) to
locals in the local markets and in a decade the rates have increased manifold and
now locals can earn 100–300 Rs./kg from lichen after grading them. Though, the
rates still less to support good quality of life in remote hills yet collector can earn
reasonable income from this alternative livelihood having some knowledge of the fall
and seasonal pattern. Complete as well partial lopping of branches of host trees results
in getting better amounts of lichen. Oak is dominant tree of moist temperate forests
in Kedarnath valley in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pauri and also an excellent host
for luxuriant growth of lichens and a huge amount of lichen comes from Oak forests.
Lichen overharvesting has eventually become a common practice and collectors
prefer to lop branches of trees and fell old trees for lichen collection. Felling and
complete lopping of economically and ecologically important tree species in large
proportions are reducing their chance to dominate the canopy formation and hence,
having a significant impact on regeneration of dominant and associated species.
Practice of unsustainable harvesting has influenced species composition and likely
affect structure and functioning of entire forest ecosystem. Depletion of lichen from
forests is a matter of concern from conservation standpoint.
4.4.4 Overharvesting of Morchella for Economic Benefits
Morchella esculenta and other wildly growing morals (Morchella) are important
dietic support to locals dwelling in remote and undulating valleys of Central
Himalayas where market supplies are still not organized. But over the years the
increasing demand of Morchella in urban restuarents for serving exotic dishes and
availability of resources in forests has influenced many families. Local communities
dwelling in high altitude valleys (Dharma, Mana, Khiron, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Niti
and Mana valley) collect and sell them as alternative livelihood. Earlier every second household of the valley used to collect approximately 2–3 kg of fresh morals
along with other wild leafy edibles from forests while going for livestock grazing etc.
These collections were shared among other village local households and bartered for
necessary requirements. But in last few years middle men have been approaching
the locals for supply of morals to feed urban mobs. The amount as reported by locals
ranged from 2000–2500 per kg in dry weight a decade back but like the rates of
any other MAPs the prices are reported to be increasing every passing year. In 2008
the rates were 4500/kg and in 2017 the rates were exceptionally high and morals
were sold at 12,000/kg as per data gathered from local informants and middle men in
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markets of South East Asian countries. Major share of tradable lichen species come
from the mixed broad-leaved moist temperate forests. During our field surveys it
was observed that lichens collected from Central Himalayan forests gets maximum
profit in local mandis. Parmeliaceae and Physciaceae families are most commercially
preferred and exploited species of lichens from the study area. Lichen is an important
NTFP collected by locals as well as Nepali immigrants and more than 800 metric
tons of lichens are reported to be collected from the study area. 50–80 tons of lichens
is reported to be exported to neighbouring as well as European countries (Shah
1997). Almost a decade back lichen was fetching Rs. 30/kg (Upreti et al. 2005) to
locals in the local markets and in a decade the rates have increased manifold and
now locals can earn 100–300 Rs./kg from lichen after grading them. Though, the
rates still less to support good quality of life in remote hills yet collector can earn
reasonable income from this alternative livelihood having some knowledge of the fall
and seasonal pattern. Complete as well partial lopping of branches of host trees results
in getting better amounts of lichen. Oak is dominant tree of moist temperate forests
in Kedarnath valley in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Pauri and also an excellent host
for luxuriant growth of lichens and a huge amount of lichen comes from Oak forests.
Lichen overharvesting has eventually become a common practice and collectors
prefer to lop branches of trees and fell old trees for lichen collection. Felling and
complete lopping of economically and ecologically important tree species in large
proportions are reducing their chance to dominate the canopy formation and hence,
having a significant impact on regeneration of dominant and associated species.
Practice of unsustainable harvesting has influenced species composition and likely
affect structure and functioning of entire forest ecosystem. Depletion of lichen from
forests is a matter of concern from conservation standpoint.
4.4.4 Overharvesting of Morchella for Economic Benefits
Morchella esculenta and other wildly growing morals (Morchella) are important
dietic support to locals dwelling in remote and undulating valleys of Central
Himalayas where market supplies are still not organized. But over the years the
increasing demand of Morchella in urban restuarents for serving exotic dishes and
availability of resources in forests has influenced many families. Local communities
dwelling in high altitude valleys (Dharma, Mana, Khiron, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Niti
and Mana valley) collect and sell them as alternative livelihood. Earlier every second household of the valley used to collect approximately 2–3 kg of fresh morals
along with other wild leafy edibles from forests while going for livestock grazing etc.
These collections were shared among other village local households and bartered for
necessary requirements. But in last few years middle men have been approaching
the locals for supply of morals to feed urban mobs. The amount as reported by locals
ranged from 2000–2500 per kg in dry weight a decade back but like the rates of
any other MAPs the prices are reported to be increasing every passing year. In 2008
the rates were 4500/kg and in 2017 the rates were exceptionally high and morals
were sold at 12,000/kg as per data gathered from local informants and middle men in