munsiyari

Almost 14% of forests in Uttarakhand are governed by van panchayats or the village forest councils, the country’s oldest forest management system. However, the van panchayats of Sarmoli and Shankhdhura villages are unique — they are led by local women. This #WomensDay we celebrate the women guardians from the mountain state and their intimate ties with their community forests.

The Himalayan monal is a show-stopper of the high mountains. During spring, the male dressed in his best attire, shows off his regal plumage, whistles, and dances to attract the attention of a mate. Will the female fall for his advances?

After a ravaging ‘fire season’ from February to May, Uttarakhand's mountains anxiously wait for the spring showers. Finally, in April, spring arrives. Rains nourish the landscape — flowers bloom, fruits ripen, and wild creatures get busy to make the most of this short, but abundant season.