The Shivaliks are dying a slow death. Rich in biodiversity, human interference is eating into their flora and fauna. The Shivaliks, spread over Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Gurdaspur districts, cover 2.6 per cent of the total area of the state.

According to a report prepared by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Biodiversity in the Shivalik Ecosystem, industrialisation in and around the Shivaliks is posing a major threat.The report, jointly funded by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the state government, says engineering and pharmaceutical firms and paper mills in Ropar and Hoshiarpur districts and stone crushers in Gurdaspur district are posing a serious threat.

It says the introduction of exotic fish species like common and silver carp has adversely affected native fish fauna. The plantation of exotic species like poplar and eucalyptus has also resulted in the neglect of native species.Similarly, the invasion of lantana and parthenium has resulted in the decline of flora. A hardy flowering shrub, lantana grows faster in comparison to the indigenous species. Its growth can choke all natural vegetation, including trees. It can also catch fire quickly, thus posing a threat to forests. However, the Forest Department has planted lantana in those areas where no other species can survive.

Hyacinth and hydrilla, both exotic weeds, have degraded water bodies, says the report. The vast green carpet of hyacinth prevents light for fish culture.The construction of roads in the Shivaliks has resulted in loss of biodiversity and the introduction of predators such as rats.Over-exploitation of flora by local people and Gujjars has led to the degradation of forests. Soil erosion is also a serious threat to natural vegetation. Nearly 100 choes crisscrossing the Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr areas are creating more problems.

However, the Shivaliks have the areas which are rich in biodiversity. These are the Guru Gobind Singh nature reserve, Sadavarat forest, Kahanpur Khuhi forest and the Ropar wetlands in Ropar district; Dholbaha-Kukanet forest, Nara forest, Chohal forest, Talwara forest, Manguwal forest and Takhni-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary in Hoshiarpur district; and Dhar and Dunera forest in Gurdaspur district.Biologists and environmentalists are worried. The reason is obvious. The Shivaliks are home to 390 species of birds, 135 species of moths, 74 species of butterflies, 63 species of beetles, 19 species of mammals, 55 species of fish and 27 species of reptiles.

Red ant, which is eaten as a condiment with curry in Myanmar, is also found in the Hoshiarpur and Dhar areas.The Shivaliks also have 214 plants of economic importance, including 132 medicinal plants, besides khair, amaltas, shisham and simbal.The report points out that bio-rich areas should be brought under a protected area network. The Ropar and Dholbha wetlands and other water bodies be scientifically managed. Biodiversity in degraded areas like Jaijjon and Talwara in Hoshiarpur district, Rel Majra in Nawanshahr district and Mirzapur in Ropar district should be restored, it says.