Bugyals are alpine pasture lands, or meadows, in higher elevation range between 3,300 metres (10,800 ft) and 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) of the Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, where they are called "nature’s own gardens".[1] The topography of the terrain is either flat or sloped. The surface of these bugyals is covered with natural green grass and seasonal flowers. They are used by tribal herdsmen to graze their cattle. During the winter season the alpine meadows remain snow-covered. During summer months, the Bugyals present a riot of beautiful flowers and grass. As bugyals constitute very fragile ecosystems, particular attention needs to be given for their conservation.[1]

View of Bedni Bugyal on the way to Roopkund

Some of the notable bugyals are: Auli near Joshimath, Garsi, Kwanri, Gulabi Kantha, Bedni, Panwali Kantha and Kush Kalyan, Dayara, Gidara, Bagji Bugyal and Munsiyari.[1]

List of Bugyals

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Place District Image
Ali Bugyal Chamoli  
Auli Bugyal Chamoli  
Bagji Bugyal Chamoli  
Bedni Bugyal Chamoli  
Chainsheel Bugyal Uttarkashi  
Chopta Bugyal Rudraprayag  
Dayara Bugyal Uttarkashi  
Gidara Bugyal Uttarkashi  
Gorson Bugyal Chamoli  
Gulabi Kantha Bugyal Uttarkashi  
Har Ki Doon Bugyal Uttarkashi  
Helsi Bugyal Tehri Garhwal  
Kedar Kantha Bugyal Uttarkashi  
Khaliya Bugyal Pithoragarh  
Kush Kalyan Bugyal Tehri Garhwal  
Madhyamaheshwar Bugyal Chamoli  
Moila Bugyal Dehradun  
Moth Bugyal Rudraprayag  
Nag Tibba Bugyal Tehri Garhwal  
Panar Bugyal Chamoli  
Panwali Kantha Bugyal Tehri Garhwal  
Pushtara Bugyal Uttarkashi  
Nawali Bugyal Chamoli  

Conservation issues

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Bugyal is a fragile ecosystem and it is essential to maintain a balance between ecology and environment. In this context a court case was filed by the public objecting to erection of the prefab houses and by introducing non-biodegradable matter in the upper meadows of the bugyals by the tourism departments. It was averred that the peace and tranquility of the bugyals was getting affected. The court had ordered that the polluter must pay for the damage to environment based on absolute liability principle, which covered payment of damages to the affected people but also to compensate for all costs for restoration of the degraded environments.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Tmh, p. 1.93.
  2. ^ Bhatt 2004, p. 51.

Bibliography

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