called Munsiyari. The main bazaar area faces east towards the Himalayan Panchachuli ranges. The upper part of Munsiyari is called Malla Johar, which comprises 14 trans-humant alpine villages, that are seasonally occupied during the months of May to early November. Economy Principally subsistence based agriculture and animal husbandry and allied activities. Many families are dependent on forests and natural resources for their livelihoods. Natural history Birds A part of the administrative region of Munsiari is located in the Gori river basin. As of May 2014 a total of 319 birds have been recorded, constituting a quarter of India's birds. Species richness apart, the Gori river basin harbours many rare, endemic, globally threatened and endangered bird species, including many of the evolutionarily older birds on the Indian sub-continent. The region has been designated by Birdlife International as an Important Bird Area. Lichen Park The Uttarakhand Forest Department has developed a lichen park in Munsiari, which is spread across 1.5 acres. It is India's first lichen park and its development started in 2019. Gallery See also Panchchuli - glacier and mountain Gori Ganga River References External links Driving guide to Munsyari Natural History Information on Birds from Himal Prakriti Cities and towns in Pithoragarh district Hill stations in Uttarakhand Tourism in Uttarakhand