The Himalayan Exploration, Conservation and Livelihood Programme (HECaLP) was initiated by Subhajit Saha in 2016 as an independent research & implementation programme. It was conceived to connect and combine the existing and future projects run by the team in the Himalayan region. The main themes of activities under this programme are,

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• Exploration of Himalayan biodiversity, ecology, geography and culture

• Conservation

• Livelihoods of Himalayan people

• Development of climate resilience, and

• Rural development

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With the establishment of Askot Foundation, HECaLP has been assimilated with

Askot as a programme managed and run by its members. Till date, we have

initiated two projects and several exploration trips and expeditions under this programme. The projects are,

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1. Conservation and Sustainability of Caterpillar Fungus in the Himalayas

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2. Askot Primate Project (APP)

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Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Caterpillar fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis)

Himalayan household

Himalayan langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus)

Publications:

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• Yadav, P. K., Saha, S., Mishra, A. K., Kapoor, M., Kaneria, M., Kaneria, M., … Shrestha, U. B. (2019). Yartsagunbu: transforming people’s livelihoods in the Western Himalaya. Oryx, 53(02), 247–255. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605318000674