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Friends of GHNPCA

A global community committed to conserving one of India’s most remarkable natural landscapes—recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2014) for its outstanding biodiversity.

A Voice from the Journey

Payson R. Stevens, a Prominent Friend of GHNP 

23rd June 2014.

“I want to let you know, with profound and quiet appreciation, that the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) was inscribed yesterday as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) in Doha. This is another wonderful phase of my 14-year association with GHNP as a trekker (1,500 km), advisor, and lover of this truly unique environment in India and our planet.
A very small informal group, Friends of GHNP, played a crucial role in making this happen, along with a handful of dedicated Indian scientists and government officials who understand the importance of GHNP: a place protecting the Western Himalayas by Indian environmental law and now internationally recognized as a World Heritage Site committed to conserve the unique biodiversity of the Western Himalayas.”

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About Payson R. Stevens

Payson R. Stevens divides his time painting / writing / film-making in the studios in Del Mar, California 

http://www.energylandscapes.com and a remote part of the Indian Himalayas (Kullu Valley) where he lives with his wife, the writer Kamla K. Kapoor www.kamlakkapur.com

About FoGHNPCA

Friends of GHNPCA (FoGHNPCA) is a voluntary network founded in 2000 by Sanjeeva Pandey and Payson R. Stevens. It brings together individuals from India and across the world who share a commitment to conservation, community engagement, and sustainable development in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA).

FoGHNPCA works at the interface of

Conservation

and biodiversity protection​

Community livelihoods and participation

Knowledge, communication, and outreach

People Pic 21 Sanjeeva Pandey and Payson Stevens founded Friends of GHNP in 2000.JPG

Sanjeeva Pandey and Payson Stevens

Our Journey: Key Activities (2000 onwards)

Since its inception, FoGHNPCA has played a pioneering role in shaping conservation awareness and community engagement in GHNPCA.

    • Developed the Park’s identity, logo, and communication materials

    • Introduced Juju Rana (Western Tragopan) as the iconic symbol of the Park

    • Created slogans and messaging that have shaped GHNPCA awareness since 2001

    • Designed and produced educational materials including:

      • Booklets

      • Posters

      • Brochures

    • Covered key themes such as birds, wildlife, and ecotourism

    • Strengthened early conservation literacy in the ecozone

    • Website (2001)
      Developed www.greathimalayannationalpark.com, the first and most comprehensive digital platform on GHNPCA
      (Extensively upgraded during the UNESCO nomination process in 2012)

    • Documentary Film (2005)
      “GHNP: Voices & Choices”—the first documentary capturing the Park’s biodiversity and community relationships

    • Kala Jatha / Street Theatre (2001–2006)
      Initiated innovative outreach through local theatre, taking conservation and social messages directly to ecozone villages

    • Pioneered early training programmes (2000–2006) for local youth in Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET)

    • Collaborated with NGOs and tour operators

    • Promoted:

      • Nature interpretation and guiding skills

      • Sustainable tourism practices

      • Equitable sharing of benefits with local communities

    • Supported formation of Women Saving and Credit Groups (WSCGs)

    • Facilitated alternative livelihood options:

      • Vermicomposting

      • Apricot oil production

      • Ecotourism services

    • Strengthened product development and market linkages

    • Reduced dependency on forest resources such as grazing and herb extraction

    • Organized Health Melas, surveys, and training programmes

    • Used Kala Jatha groups to:

      • Promote public health (e.g., immunization awareness)

      • Spread conservation messages

      • Support women and child welfare initiatives

    • Integrated traditional culture (songs, folklore, dance) into outreach

A Landmark Contribution: UNESCO World Heritage Inscription

FoGHNPCA played a central role in securing

UNESCO World Heritage status for GHNPCA.

2014

GHNPCA inscribed as a 

UNESCO World Heritage Site​

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2008 - 2013

 A small FoGHNPCA team:

  • Prepared the nomination dossier

  • Coordinated technical inputs and documentation

  • Led extensive engagement with UNESCO

Why It Matters Today

The World Heritage designation has increased global visibility and tourism.

While this creates new opportunities, it also brings challenges:

  • Pressure on fragile ecosystems

  • Need for sustainable tourism models

  • Greater demand for scientific and community-based management

FoGHNPCA continues to play a vital role in ensuring that conservation remains central to GHNPCA’s future.

Building Partnerships

FoGHNPCA is exploring collaborations with established international and national environmental organizations with a presence in India.

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Building on nearly two decades of credibility, knowledge assets, and a strong identity, FoGHNPCA seeks to evolve into a more structured and impactful platform—while retaining its spirit as a “friend” of the Conservation Area.

Strategic Partnership: FoGHNPCA & IRALE (2025)

In 2025, FoGHNPCA entered into a formal partnership with the Indian Regional Association for Landscape Ecology (IRALE).

A significant step toward institutional strengthening and long-term impact.

Purpose

The partnership provides a formal institutional framework for FoGHNPCA and enables joint work in:

  • Research and monitoring

  • Training and capacity building

  • Policy advocacy

  • Community-led conservation

Joint Mission

To protect, expand, and sustainably manage GHNPCA and the wider Himalayan landscape through science, community stewardship, and policy engagement.

  • FoGHNPCA: grassroots engagement, outreach, citizen science

  • IRALE: institutional, legal, research, and training support

Key Strategic Priorities

  • Expanding the Greater GHNPCA Landscape

  • Strengthening biodiversity research and climate resilience

  • Empowering local communities and livelihoods

  • Advancing conservation policy and partnerships

  • Enhancing education, outreach, and digital platforms

  • Mobilizing long-term financial and institutional support

Governance Framework

  • Joint Core Committee (JCC) for implementation

  • Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) for strategic guidance

  • Transparent financial and administrative systems under IRALE

The Road Ahead

FoGHNPCA now stands at an important transition point.

Building on over two decades of experience, it aims to evolve into:

  • A global knowledge platform on GHNPCA

  • A credible conservation advocate

  • A bridge between communities, science, and policy

Through partnerships with organizations such as IRALE, and engagement with national and international institutions, FoGHNPCA seeks to advance a landscape-level conservation model for the Himalayas.

Join Us

Be part of the future of GHNPCA.

  • Collaborate with us

  • Support conservation initiatives

  • Contribute knowledge and expertise

  • Strengthen community-led conservation

​

“From grassroots action to global recognition—Friends of GHNPCA continues to stand for conservation, community, and the future of the Himalayas.”

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