India’s first moss garden comes up near Nainital
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
Environment
- Published
23rd Nov, 2020
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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.
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Two of the moss species found here – Hyophilainvoluta (Cement Moss) and BrachytheciumBuchanani– figure in International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Lay down broad guidelines for State CAMPA.
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Facilitate scientific, technological and other assistance that may be required by State CAMPA.
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Make recommendations to State CAMPA based on a review of their plans and programmes.
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Provide a mechanism to State CAMPA to resolve issues of an inter-state or Centre-State character.
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