Practice question

Bugyals are high-altitude alpine meadows or pastures found between 3300-4000 meters above timberline in Himalayan zone, particularly Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh locations such as Dayara, Auli, Valley of Flowers, Bedni. Word bugyal derived from Garhwali tribal language meaning upland grassland. Dominated by perennial grasses, sedges, and herbaceous flora like Brahma Kamal Saussurea obvallata, Primula. Seasonally used by transhumant pastoralists Gujjars and Bhotiyas. Extremely fragile, sensitive to overgrazing and climate change, requiring controlled tourism management. Conservation strategies built on this knowledge support national biodiversity targets and sustainable livelihood planning for local communities.