Community-based Biodiversity Conservation in the HimalayasYogesh Gokhale, Ajeet K. Negi Conservation of biodiversity by local communities has been part of the social system in the Himalayas. A variety of ecosystems are conserved traditionally by local communities. These communities are fully aware of the relationship between protecting the nature and getting ecosystem goods and services. The van panchayat system in Uttarakhand and sacred natural sites all over the Himalayas suggest a mix of the institutions in the region. Globally, community conserved areas (CCAs) are gaining importance. Biodiversity Heritage Sites, Community Reserves, and Conservation Reserves are the new institutional legal provisions that recognize the efforts of local communities in biodiversity conservation in India. The present volume highlights the importance of the existing systems in terms of their role in biodiversity conservation with community participation and suggests ways to enhance community-based biodiversity conservation in light of the emerging policy provisions. It would serve as an important reference for a wide range of stakeholders, from policy-makers to environmentalists, biodiversity experts, development practitioners, academicians, and researchers. |
Common terms and phrases
agricultural Almora alpine assessment Asteraceae Bageshwar Bahuguna biodiversity biodiversity conservation Biosphere Reserve buffer zone bugyal CCAs Chamoli Chamoli district Chauhan collection Community Conserved Areas community forests crops cultivation cultural degraded Dehra Dun Delhi district diversity ecological ecosystems Environment ethnobotanical fauna flora Flowers National Park fodder forest area forest department forest management forest panchayat forest resources forestry fuelwood Garhwal Garhwal Himalayas grazing high altitude Himalayas implementing important institutions Kala Kumaon Kumar landscape large number lichens livelihood livestock medicinal plants Nainital Nanda Devi natural resources NTFPs panchayat forests Pauri Pithoragarh plant species Poaceae policies population practices Pradesh protected areas protected groves Rawat regeneration reported reserve forests rich Rudraprayag sacred forest sacred groves sanctuary Singh Srinagar state’s study area Survey of India sustainable harvest Table timber Todaria trade traditional knowledge trees Uniyal Uttarakhand Valley of Flowers van panchayats vegetation village wild Wildlife