The valley witnessed landslides earlier too, but their number has increased in recent years, says Santosh Rana, a tour guide operating in the area. The temperatures have risen and snowfall, which provides moisture to the germinating plants, has significantly reduced, he says.
Over 2 metre-tall Himalayan knotweed plants and ferns line parts of the trek to the Valley of Flowers. Smaller flowering plants seldom emerge under such thick growth, or remain hidden. “Every year, the forest department spends lakhs of rupees on labourers who manually uproot the weed. Last year, the activity was undertaken thrice,” says Chandrashekhar Chauhan, president of Eco Club, a non-profit that works to remove plastic waste in the area.
Uttarakhand’s famed Valley of Flowers seems to be losing its floral diversity and density. Changes in weather and flawed conservation policy are the reasons, say experts and residents of nearby villages
Uttarakhand’s famed Valley of Flowers seems to be losing its floral diversity and density. Changes in weather and flawed conservation policy are the reasons, say experts and residents of nearby villages
The white Himalayan knotweed flowers are visible in most parts of the valley. Here they dominate purple balsam flowers seen in the foreground. The government's decision to uproot the weed only ends up tilling and preparing the soil for the next bloom of the same flower, says Pallav Singh Chauhan of Bhyundar village, located adjacent to the valley.