The Himalayan Brown Bear Trust, in collaboration with Roots Ladakh, launched their book, ‘Humas: A Field Guide to the Flora and Fauna of Drass Valley’, on June 1o at Government Degree College, Drass.

This comprehensive guide documents the unique plants, mammals, and birds of the Drass region, offering an unprecedented look at its rich biodiversity.

Er. Punchok Tashi, Executive Councillor for Forest and Wildlife at LAHDC, Kargil, attended as the chief guest. Other notable attendees included Abdul Wahid, Councillor of Bhimbat, Drass, and Abdul Samad, Councillor of Ranbirpur, Drass, who served as guests of honor.

Special guests included Kaneez Fatima, Rector of Ladakh University, Kargil Campus, and Shabir Hassan, Principal in-charge of Government Degree College, Drass.

Muzammil Hussain, Founder Trustee of the Himalayan Brown Bear Trust and Co-Founder of Roots Ladakh, expressed his enthusiasm about the project: "This book is our first attempt at understanding the natural history of the Drass region and putting its biodiversity on the global map. Through our efforts, we aim to create a space where the Himalayan Brown Bears and the people of the region coexist."

Er. Punchok Tashi commended the dedication of Roots Ladakh and the Himalayan Brown Bear Trust under the leadership of Muzammil Hussain for their innovative approaches to employment generation and conservation. He highlighted their previous initiatives, such as promoting Hunderman and Hinaskot, the Brown Bear Expedition in Drass Valley, and the Suru Boulder Fest. "This field guide is yet another step in their efforts to conserve our natural heritage," he added.

The release of Humas marks a significant milestone in the conservation efforts for Drass, aiming to raise awareness and foster a deeper understanding of its unique ecosystem.