Uttarakhand - Department of Land Resources

There are a number of projects/ schemes operational in the State which is
implementing MWS treatments. Keeping these schemes in view only the untreated
MWS were shortlisted for the above project.
Of the total of 1110 MWS delineated in the State. Out of the 537 untreated MWS,
124 micro watersheds have been identified above 3200 mt. altitude comprising a
total area of 14,25,750 ha. This is the area with little to no human habitation,
snow bound glacier, rocky and forest covered area. The status of this land is
mainly Reserve Forest under the jurisdiction of the Forest department. The High
altitude National Parks/Sanctuaries such as the Nanda Devi National Park,
Gangotri National Park, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Askot Wild Life
Sanctuary lie in this zone. Besides, this area is also home to the some of the
places of great religious significance such as Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and
Yamunotri.
Micro watersheds in this zone are land slide prone areas having slopes greater than
30 degrees gradient. Besides, these areas are also facing tremendous pressure and
degradation of their natural resource due to high tourist and pilgrim inflow.
The Micro watersheds - Badrinath, Jumagard & Dhauliganga (District Chamoli) are
home to Internationally famous places of religious and ecological significance viz
Badrinath shrine and Valley of Flowers National Park ( A world heritage site) .Due to
large number of pilgrims visiting Badrinath shrine and tourist pressure at Valley of
Flower National Park, the above Micro-watershed are facing degradation. The Micro
watershed Kedarnath (District Rudrapryag) has the world famous religious shrine
Kedarnath. It is under pressure from high number of pilgrims and trekkers visiting the
area. The Micro watershed Gangotri and Yamnotri (District Uttrarkashi) are home to
Gangotri and Yamnotri both places of great ecological, religious and tourism
importance. Similarly Harikidoon is also facing degradation due to pressure from
tourists and pilgrims.
Any watershed treatment required in this zone (> 3200mt) will be undertaken as
convergence projects requiring special interventions by the concerned departments.
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