GHNPCA Meet 2026
5 September 2026 at Sai Ropa
A Celebration of Friendship, Conservation and the Continuing Journey of GHNPCA
The gathering of Friends of GHNPCA at Sai Ropa on 5 September 2026 was a day of memories, gratitude, friendship and renewed commitment to the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area. Nearly 50–70 people came together, representing almost every generation and dimension of the Park's conservation history—from Forest Guards, Deputy Rangers and Rangers to former Directors, the former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force of Himachal Pradesh, researchers, scientists, village Pradhans, women's groups, NGOs and representatives of the Wildlife Institute of India's UNESCO Category 2 Centre, GB Pant Institute at Mohal, Himalayan Ecotourism and Sunshine NGO. The present Director of GHNP and his field staff also participated.
But the real heart of the gathering was the presence of the local communities, particularly members of the Women's Savings and Credit Groups that had been initiated during my tenure as Director of GHNP. These women and village representatives reminded us that the story of conservation at GHNP has always been closely connected with the lives and aspirations of the people living around the Park.
Remembering those who are no longer with us
The proceedings began on a solemn note. Three people closely associated with the GHNP story—Jeff Salz, Arnold “Arny” Lippin and Gopal, former Director of the Great Himalayan National Park, had passed away. Their photographs were displayed and everyone present observed a minute's silence in their honour.
It was an emotional beginning. Many of us had tears in our eyes.
Jeff and Arny had been among the early international friends of GHNP who came to the Park through their friendship with Payson. Gopal had served the Park himself and was an important part of its institutional history. Their absence was deeply felt, but so was their presence in the memories of those who had known them.
Payson returns to the place where it began
Payson R. Stevens was the Chief Guest, and his presence gave the gathering a special meaning. He recalled his first visit to my office at Shamshi in April 2000, when I encouraged him to devote his time and energy to GHNP. What began as a visit soon became a lifelong association with the park and its people.
Payson also fondly recalled the contribution of Friends of GHNP to the long journey towards World Heritage recognition. The voluntary group that we had established in 2000 brought together friends, scientists and conservationists from India and abroad, and contributed to the preparation of the UNESCO nomination dossier for GHNPCA and to responding to the many queries during the nomination process. The eventual inscription of GHNPCA as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 was a moment of great pride for all those who had contributed to that journey.
What should Friends of GHNPCA do now?
Later, the gathering moved indoors to the Sai Ropa Community Centre for an open discussion on the future role of Friends of GHNPCA.
Three broad areas emerged.
1. Protection and Conservation
I introduced the discussion with a simple thought:
“Livelihood is Conservation, and Conservation is Livelihood.”
The idea was to explore how the two cannot be separated in a landscape such as GHNPCA. Dr G.S. Goraya spoke about the extraordinary biodiversity of the Park and the importance of conserving it, while others contributed ideas on how Friends could support protection and conservation in the years ahead.
2. Research
Dr Goraya also spoke about the Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas in GHNP, highlighting their importance and the scope for renewed research. Jishtu contributed to the discussion, while Dr Vasudha Agnihotri drew attention to the neglected world of microbes in GHNPCA and the need to encourage research into this largely unexplored dimension of biodiversity. Payson strongly supported her proposal.
3. Community Participation
The discussion then returned to the communities, particularly the women's groups, and to the practical question of how women living close to GHNP can strengthen their livelihoods while becoming even stronger partners in conservation.
The discussion made clear that the future role of Friends of GHNPCA should not be limited to advocacy. It can help connect conservation, research and community enterprise.
A new chapter begins
The gathering at Sai Ropa also marked the transition from Friends of GHNP to Friends of GHNPCA.
While the meeting was indoors at the Sai Ropa Community Centre, Payson formally inaugurated the new Friends of GHNPCA website — www.friendsofghnpca.org. Prashant Harit, who designed and developed the website, assisted Payson in the inauguration.
It was a particularly symbolic moment. The Friends movement that had begun in 2000, when Payson and I first came together around GHNP, now had a new identity and a new digital home as Friends of GHNPCA. The website is intended to connect the Friends across generations and countries, share knowledge and experiences, and provide a platform for the continuing conservation of the Park and its wider landscape.
I especially like the idea of describing this as “a new chapter” rather than “a new beginning.” It makes clear that Friends of GHNPCA inherits the spirit, relationships and conservation legacy built over more than two decades, while looking ahead to a new phase of work.
And there is a beautiful symmetry here: Payson first came to my office at Shamshi in 2000; twenty-six years later, he stood at Sai Ropa and inaugurated the new digital home of the organisation that the two of us began together. That is a very strong moment for the history of Friends of GHNPCA and deserves to be recorded prominently.
This was also time to refer to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVWr8zmjqsM that has been created by Tony Gaston, Father of GHNP when the initial boundary of the Great Himalayan National Park was delineated based on his recommendations of the Himachal Wildlife Project. The six-minute video prepared by Tony Gaston recounts the initial times of surveys in 1970s and onwards (till 1990s); fascination of Tony and his wife Anne Marie to the present location of the park. Students, Peter Garson, Malcolm Hunter joining Tony along with Indian counterparts Dr CR Babu, Vinay Tandon, N Jayal and many more.
Kullu Dham — celebrating the culture of the landscape
After the discussions came a wonderful expression of local hospitality: Kullu Dham.
A traditional seven-course feast was enjoyed in the customary manner, sitting on the ground together. Gucchi (Morchella spp.), the prized wild-collected mushroom of the region, featured prominently in the meal.
It was a fitting reminder that GHNPCA is not only a biodiversity landscape. It is also part of a rich cultural landscape in which food, forests, traditions, beliefs and communities remain deeply connected.
A poem for the Devta landscape
The afternoon brought another memorable cultural dimension. Shri Hari Dutt Shastri presented an eight-page poem written in appreciation of the cultural traditions of the Devi and Devta of the region in which GHNP is located.
Shastriji's own life embodies dedication to the people of the mountains. He is known for his years of service at the remote school in Shakti village, where he ran a primary school from a cave for thirteen years. His devotion to his students and to public service has earned widespread respect.
Ending with Nati
The day concluded exactly as such a gathering should—with Nati, the traditional dance of Himachal Pradesh.
Members of a Women's Savings and Credit Group performed to the accompaniment of drums and the narsinh, the traditional wind instrument. It was an uplifting ending to a day that had begun in silence and remembrance and moved through memories, science, conservation, livelihoods, food, poetry and community celebration.
Perhaps this was the most appropriate conclusion.
The history of GHNP has always been about people coming together around nature.
On 5 September 2026, old Friends returned, new Friends emerged, villagers stood at the centre, young people were recognised, departed friends were remembered, and a new chapter for Friends of GHNPCA began.
A continuing journey
The most important message from Sai Ropa may be that the work is not finished.
The generation that created the foundations of GHNP conservation has begun to hand over its knowledge, memories and commitment to a younger generation. Friends of GHNPCA now has an opportunity to bring conservation, research and community participation together in a new phase of stewardship.
And perhaps the spirit of the day is best captured in a thought that has emerged repeatedly during our discussions:
Nature has given us far more than we can ever return. Our responsibility is simply to remain good friends of the landscape that has given us so much.
That, ultimately, is what Friends of GHNPCA is about.