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India’s first moss garden comes up near Nainital

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    23rd Nov, 2020

India’s first moss garden has been developed at Khurpatal in Nainital district.

Context

  • India’s first moss garden has been developed at Khurpatal in Nainital district.

 Key points

  •  It is being developed under the CAMPA scheme by the Research Advisory Committee of Uttarakhand Forest Department.

What is the aim to develop it?

  • To conserve the various species of moss and other bryophytes
  • To make people aware of its significance in the environment
  • To create a recreation center for tourists. 

Two of the moss species found here – Hyophilainvoluta (Cement Moss) and BrachytheciumBuchanani– figure in International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list.

What is the significance of mosses?

  • It absorbs liquids about three times more quickly than cotton, is cooler, softer, and less irritating than cotton.
  • It has antiseptic properties.
  • It also produces sterile environment by keeping the pH level around wounds low and thus inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
  • They help create a suitable environment for other plants to grow.

What are mosses?

  • Mosses are one of the most ancient flora on the planet, existing since Jurassic era.
  • They are the first plants to grow on rocky land and by breaking down the rocks and the soil.
  • Surfaces such as bare rock and thick volcanic ash are initially barren, nutrient-poor but are readily colonized by moss species.
  • Mosses are bryophytes.
  • They are non-vascular.
  • They are flowerless plants.
  • The individual plants are usually composed of simple leaves that are generally only one cell thick.

 

What is CAMPA?

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) are meant to promote afforestation and regeneration activities as a way of compensating for forest land diverted to non-forest uses.

National CAMPA Advisory Council has been established as per orders of The Hon’ble Supreme Court with the following mandate:

  • Lay down broad guidelines for State CAMPA.

  • Facilitate scientific, technological and other assistance that may be required by State CAMPA.

  • Make recommendations to State CAMPA based on a review of their plans and programmes.

  • Provide a mechanism to State CAMPA to resolve issues of an inter-state or Centre-State character.

 

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