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Department of Science and Technology (DST)
Long-term satellite observations from 2001 to 2022 reveal a significant shift in the natural rhythms and health of Himalayan vegetation. Researchers from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute under the DST, utilized Google Earth Engine (GEE) to analyze two decades of data, identifying a downward trend in green cover across the state. Using indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), the study found that while vegetation typically peaks post-monsoon, the overall density and seasonal resilience of these mountain ecosystems are under severe stress from both climatic and human-induced factors.
Strategic Pillars of Himalayan Vegetation Dynamics The research identifies several critical drivers and mechanisms behind the changing landscape of Uttarakhand:
Climatic Sensitivity and Seasonal Shifts: Mountain ecosystems are acutely sensitive to rising surface temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, which are disrupting traditional monthly and yearly vegetation cycles.
Anthropogenic Pressures: The decline in green cover is directly linked to deforestation, the expansion of agricultural land, and illegal logging activities that fragment critical forest habitats.
Localized Pollution Stress: Increasing pollution from urban and industrial sources does not affect the hills uniformly; instead, it compounds climate stress in specific high-risk locations, accelerating degradation.
Technology-Enabled Monitoring: The use of GEE and satellite indices (NDVI/EVI) allows for large-scale, localized monitoring, reducing the need for extensive data preprocessing while providing an early-warning system for policymakers.
What are NDVI and EVI in the context of satellite environmental monitoring? NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) and EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index) are measurement tools used by satellites to assess the “greenness” or health of vegetation on the ground. NDVI measures the difference between near-infrared and red light to identify dense green forests versus barren rock, sand, or snow. EVI is a similar but more sensitive measurement that provides better accuracy in high-biomass areas like the thick forests of the Himalayas by reducing atmospheric noise. Together, they allow researchers to track how climate change and pollution are physically altering the flora of valleys and grasslands over decades.
Policy Relevance
The ARIES study marks a transition from generalized climate warnings to precise, satellite-led early-warning systems. By institutionalizing long-term satellite monitoring, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is providing the evidence required to protect the water resources and biodiversity that millions of downstream residents depend on.
Targeted Conservation: The localized nature of the data allows the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to identify specific “choke points” where illegal logging or industrial pollution is hit hardest.
Securing Water Resources: Since Himalayan vegetation regulates the natural balance of water flow, these findings are critical for the Ministry of Jal Shakti in planning for long-term water security.
Urban-Industrial Regulation: The link between urban pollution and vegetation decline provides a mandate for the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to tighten emission standards in towns bordering eco-sensitive zones.
Climate Adaptation Planning: Integrating satellite-derived EVI data into state-level Climate Action Plans can help Uttarakhand design more resilient agricultural and reforestation strategies.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the Government of Uttarakhand and the DST leverage the GEE-based early-warning system to mandate ‘Ecological Buffer Zones’ around urban centers experiencing the highest rates of satellite-detected vegetation decline?
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