Livelihood Security in Northwestern Himalaya: Case Studies from Changing Socio-economic Environments in Himachal Pradesh, India (Advances in Geographical and Environmental Sciences)

This book identifies and analyzes livelihood impacts of recent environmental and socio-economic changes in urban and rural settings of the mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh, north western Himalaya, India. The findings of the research deal with the broader objectives of the changing patterns of agricultural production with special reference to diversification, as well as forest-based livelihood outcomes, Clean Development Mechanism forest project activities, the roles of different ethnic groups and non-governmental organizations and the benefits and shortcomings of tourism as a livelihood source. These tasks are studied by using an exploratory approach, with participant observation, interviews through random and cluster sampling among villagers, local land users and officials, as well as with land cover interpretation and secondary statistical data. This book is relevant for educational use together with policy input on the issues exploring livelihood security in a rapidly growing developing country. Front Matter....Pages i-viii Introduction: Livelihood Security in Changing Socio-Economic Environment in Himachal Pradesh....Pages 1-7 Front Matter....Pages 9-9 Geographic and Socio-Economic Realities of Himachal Pradesh, Northwestern Himalaya....Pages 11-26 Climate Change, Glacier Lakes, and Livelihoods....Pages 27-40 Land Use and Cover Change....Pages 41-51 Human-Induced Biome and Livelihood Security....Pages 53-66 Dynamics of Agricultural Production....Pages 67-82 Shifting from Traditional Food Cropping to Cash Cropping....Pages 83-92 Front Matter....Pages 93-93 Agriculture and Forestry Based Livelihood Capital Assessment....Pages 95-106 The Challenges of Reforesting the Himalayas Through the Clean Development Mechanism: Perspectives from Rural Villages....Pages 107-122 Participation in a CDM Afforestation/Reforestation Project in Himachal Pradesh: Success Stories and Shortcomings....Pages 123-137 Ecosystem Services in Changing Environment....Pages 139-153 Front Matter....Pages 155-155 On-Migration Aspirations and Livelihood Among Tibetan Newcomers....Pages 157-171 Indian NGOs and Their Role of Networking....Pages 173-187 Tourism and Solid Waste Management....Pages 189-202 Rural Non-farm and Tourism Based Livelihood Options....Pages 203-219 Livelihood Space of an Indigenous Indian Tribe: Gaddi Community and Its Livelihood Strategies....Pages 221-237 Small Hydro Power Projects and Community Participation....Pages 239-248 Livelihood Security in Changing Socio-Economic Environment: Summary and Policy Recommendations....Pages 249-258