Dr G.S. Rawat
Updated: Sep 9
My Time with Payson R. Stevens in GHNP
I am going to miss the Friends of GHNPs meet at Sai Ropa scheduled the next week (4-5th September 2026). Dr. Sanjeeva Pandey called me and said if I can’t make it, at least send some thoughts on our time with Payson R. Stevens in GHNP and how he influenced us to treasure the serenity of GHNP. My thoughts, in brief, are summarized below:
As I write this note, my heart and mind are closely connected to GHNP where I have been visiting intermittently since late 1990’s. I have enjoyed every bit of my stay in this park, exploring and learning myriads of plant and animal life in good company of friends, colleagues and students. One of my memorable trips to GHNP has been the Kharongcha – Ghumtarao – Dhela - Shakti trek in June 2011. The trek was organized by Dr. Sanjeeva Pandey exclusively for a ‘select’ group of people. As we assembled at Gushaini to begin the walk, one grey-bearded person from the group caught my eyes. With a broad smile he came forward and shook my hands and said, “Namastey. Mera naam Payson hai”. So simple? I thought to myself. “Of course, your name is familiar and you are well respected among the friends of GHNP…Lucky that we will be together for a few days in the park”, I replied. Pleasantries exchanged, we slowly traversed through the stretches of deodar, scrub jungle, agricultural fields, oaks, horse chestnut and maples etc and reached Rolla for the night halt.
While some of us (me, Drs. G. S. Goraya and S. Pandey) walked and talked all along the wooded trail to Rolla and next two-three days to Chhordwari, Ghumtarao, Patal, etc, I noticed that Payson seldom participated in the discussion but he did listen to us with much interest. He would rather observe tall trees, their trunks and canopies as if looking for some hidden treasures. On the fourth day when we reached Supakhani (Dhel Pass; ca. 4200m), we stopped to take a breath and some of us offered obeisance at a miniature temple-cum-flag point dedicated to a local deity. To my pleasant surprise, Payson showed much deeper reverence and gratitude for being there. He sat in meditation a little longer. I waited for him. After finishing the prayers he smiled at me and told that he was going to touch 70 years soon and that he was extremely grateful to have reached that altitude against the advice of his doctors. Only then I realized how deeply Payson admired the place, the alpine landscape and high altitude forests. I found a rare blend of a scientist and devotee in him. That afternoon and subsequently we shared several thoughts on mountain ecosystems, impacts of climate change and conservation issues. Thereafter we have remained in touch. After a few years Payson brought out a beautiful book titled “Tall Trees: Himalaya Magic” which portrays his profound love for the Himalayan forests. I am extremely proud of our friendship and fortunate to have met Payson.
Dr. Gopal S. Rawat
NASI Senior Scientist
WII Dehra Dun
