A tribute to the natives
Since long, the natives have protected and conserved the forests surrounding them, and Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) too, is one among them and credit goes to the habitations located in and around GHNP. The forests used to be the very basis of survival for them and they strongly believed that its resources have to be harvested in a sustainable manner. Right from trees, medicinal plants, meadows (used as grazing grounds for their domestic cattle), its rivers, scared groves, or every resource that the forest offered was harvested in a sustainable manner, either regulated by social customs or as a part of religious beliefs, practices & myths.
Natives believed and strictly practiced sustainable practices, including never taking more from the forest than is needed and treating all things present in it with respect. And that is why most of the forests remained conserved till the commercialisation started. Even in present times, it is hard to dream of protection of forests, without active contribution of the locals. GHNP too, is a good example where natives culture and beliefs have protected its forests, since many centuries and even now, those beliefs can be seen being practised, be it social system around the sacred groves, or rivers, etc.
The park’s management team is extremely grateful to the locals and their contribution in conserving the GHNP resources and are hopeful that in future too we will work together in protecting this jewel of Himalayas.