Rapid deforestation in parts of the Himalayas could lead to the extinction of hundreds of plants and dozens of bird and animal species, a biodiversity and conservation expert warned Friday.
In a new study, to be released in an upcoming edition of the journal Biodiversity and Conservation, an international team of researchers concluded that forest cover on the Indian side of the mountain range will fall from 84.9 percent in 2000 to 52.8 percent by 2100 if nothing is done to reduce unchecked development, land clearing for farming or the collection of wood for fuel.
The study predicts that 366 plant species as well as three dozen species of birds, fish and mammals could become extinct. Among them, researchers said, would be large species with limited ranges such as the Himalayan tiger, the black bear, the Hoolock gibbon and the Himalayan snow cock.
"The future for the Indian Himalayas looks very bleak," M.K. Pandit of the University of Singapore, the lead author of the study, said Friday. "If the deforestation continues, you'll have large-scale extinction _ bird species, mammal species and plant species."
Pandit said the Indian government, which his team believes has underestimated the level of deforestation in the Himalayas, needed to do more to reign in destructive practices and reconsider certain projects in the region including hydroelectric dams.
"The government should look at the land use choices very carefully before they allow any kind of development activities or conversion of forest land," Pandit said by telephone from India. "There are a large number of regulations in place but they don't seem to be working ... they are not giving us the results we want."
The team also said large-scale conservation efforts were needed, including reforestation programs and efforts to protect existing forests.
The Himalayan range -- stretching from India into Pakistan, Bhutan, China and Nepal -- is considered one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world with over 100 mountains and the source of three major river systems.Associated Press via The Inquirer
