Surya-Kunj restoration model in Uttarakhand shows how native plantations, soil and water conservation and community participation can revive degraded landscapes
A degraded Himalayan slope in Almora, Uttarakhand, has been transformed over three decades into a biodiversity rich landscape supporting 88 established plant species, more than 160 bird species and over 100 butterfly species, demonstrating the long-term potential of ecological restoration.
The restoration project, known as the Surya-Kunj model began in 1992 at the G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment. A 2025 study published in Frontiers in Conservation Science documented the ecological changes at the 71-acre site and found widespread natural regeneration of trees and other vegetation.
Researchers initially encountered a degraded landscape dominated by a limited number of Pinus roxburghii trees and shrubs. The site covers about 28.73 hectares at an elevation of between 1,100 and 1,250 metres above sea level.
Restoration begins with native and multipurpose species
The restoration programme initially involved planting 172 multipurpose plant species followed by gap-filling plantation work that continued until 2014.
Over the three decades, around 190 tree species were planted, including 136 native Himalayan species. The vegetation gradually diversified to include trees, shrubs, medicinal plants and other species that created habitats and food sources for wildlife.
Rather than relying only on plantations, researchers focused on improving the ecological conditions that would allow vegetation to regenerate naturally.
Soil and water conservation key to recovery
A combination of soil and water conservation measures helped stabilise the degraded slope.
Researchers prepared planting pits and filled them with manure before planting. They also constructed terraces, bunds, gully plugs and small check dams to reduce soil erosion and retain moisture.
Staggered contour trenches were created to capture rainwater. Because water availability was limited, underground tanks lined with polyethylene were constructed to provide irrigation.
The restoration team also collected seeds from plants already growing at the site. These were used for direct sowing or nursery development, allowing researchers to fill gaps and encourage the spread of vegetation without relying entirely on new planting.
Forest regeneration takes hold
The restoration eventually resulted in extensive natural regeneration.
The study recorded 125 woody species, comprising 98 tree species and 27 shrubs. Average tree density reached around 323 individuals per hectare.
Twenty-two tree species showed good regeneration, including Celtis australis Cinnamomum tamala Quercus glauca and Quercus leucotrichophora. Pinus roxburghii remained the dominant tree, with a density of about 144.1 trees per hectare.
The presence of large numbers of seedlings and saplings indicates that many of the planted species are reproducing naturally. Researchers said this suggests the restored landscape is moving towards a more stable and self-sustaining ecosystem.
Wildlife returns as vegetation recovers
The ecological recovery was accompanied by a significant increase in biodiversity.
More than 160 bird species have been recorded at Surya-Kunj, along with over 100 butterfly species. The site also supports 86 bryophyte species and more than 30 lichen species.
Its medicinal plant garden contains more than 90 species.
Several plants provide important food resources for birds through their fruits and flowers. These include Berberis asiatica, Rubus ellipticus, Pyracantha crenulata, Morus alba, Prunus cerasoides and Pyrus pashia.
The growing diversity of vegetation and availability of food have helped create a range of habitats capable of supporting a wider variety of wildlife.
Local communities play a central role
Community participation was an important component of the Surya-Kunj restoration programme.
Researchers worked with surrounding villages to encourage the recovery of degraded and abandoned land. Local residents were employed in plantation and other restoration activities and received wages for their work.
Scientists also shared technical knowledge with villagers, while naturally growing grasses at the site could be collected for fodder.
The institute established a Nature Interpretation Learning Centre near Surya-Kunj to strengthen conservation education and awareness.
Over the past three decades, the programme has conducted 62 conservation education workshops involving more than 5,331 stakeholders and students. The Surya Kunj experience highlights the importance of treating ecological restoration as a long term process rather than a short term plantation exercise.
The site’s transformation was supported by a combination of native species, erosion control, water conservation, natural regeneration and sustained community involvement.
Three decades after restoration began, the return of diverse vegetation and wildlife demonstrates how degraded Himalayan landscapes can gradually recover when ecological processes are supported and protected over time.