Sustainability of Himalayan Environment: Issues and Policies

Abstract

The Himalayan region has three major areas of interest, mountain environment, forest resources and fresh glacial water. Mountain people mostly follow agricultural livelihood system for their sustenance and economic wellbeing. However, contraction of resources and climate changes demand a shift from the conventional to improved management systems. The process of economic growth is reaching the unreached mountain societies, which are seen as a transition from total dependence to partial dependence on farming, through improved education, skill development and exploitation of potential niche areas for development. The unpredictable weather, fast depleting resources, inadequate infrastructure, low productivity of animals and heavy disasters witnessed during the recent past are some of the challenges to be met in the Himalayas. However, opportunities exist for resilience to these challenges through cultivation of high-value off-season vegetables, medicinal/aromatic plants/flowers and a path of reversing the shift from desirable to undesirable ecology. To enable the Himalayan people to promote sustainable farming, achieve sustainable livelihood and maintain mountain ecosystem services, these people need access to natural resources and empowerment of their women, which are supposed to be the key determinants for development and are required to be extended to them under specific legislations. Public investments in education, health, transport, research, extending credit, extension services, compensation for watershed management and conservation of biodiversity are some of the policy options suggested to achieve sustainable Himalayan development.