GHNP is one of the few National Parks in India that has developed a significant ecological and environmental database. A well executed research program, in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, at Dehradun, has studied the flora, fauna, and socio-economic aspects of the Park and environs. The results were published in a detailed report (1994 to 1999).

Research has significantly contributed in providing a baseline information on the floral and faunal diversity, land use, historic development, socio-economic conditions, peoples attitudes, and perceptions. The GHNP is one among the few conservation areas in the country where different taxonomic groups were studied simultaneously. They included vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians), invertebrates (insects, annelids and mollusks), plants (Angiosperms, Gymnosperms, Pteridophytes, Bryophytes and Lichens).

The research results from, 1994 to 1999, were published in a six volume report see Appendix III.

Need for New Research Initiatives:
If the monitoring and evaluation of ecodevelopment alternatives and their effect on biodiversity conservation is to be effective, a thorough on-going, understanding of the ecological processes within the major Park ecosystems is needed. A partnership between researchers and the Park management is also essential.

GHNP plans to introduce and strengthen development of its computerized database. A Park level computerized biodiversity database (using Geographical Information System or GIS) needs to be set up.

Areas of potential and new, needed research include:
• Impact of global warming on the snow areas, and
  glaciers in the Park.
• Impact of prevention of use of Park's pastures,
  and other resources
• Access to other potentially relevant databases
  (e.g. forest inventories, regional development,
  database of the Wildlife Institute of India, etc.).
• Facilitation of interaction between database systems.
• Development of an electronic mail network which
  will connect the GHNP HQ with related conservation
  organizations.
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