New polymeric backbones were synthesized from cellulose extracted from pi-ne needles, a renewable resource of the Western Himalayas. Conditions for optimum network yield were evaluated as a function of irradiation dose, concentrations of monomer and crosslinker and amount of water for interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) with 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propanesulphonic acid (AAmPSA). N, N-methylene bisacrylamide was used as crosslinker. At optimum conditions thus evaluated, IPNs of cellulose and other cellulosics like cyano-ethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydrazinodeoxycellulose and cellulosephosphate were synthesized. These hydrogels were used in sorption of Fe2+, Cu2+ and Cr6+ metal ions. The results of ion sorption as partitioning of ions between polymeric matrices and liquid phase are reflected in high values of partition coefficients for Fe2+ and Cu2+.