Local socio-economic dynamics shaping forest ecosystems in central Himalayas

Abstract

In past five decades (post 1960), humans have severely manipulated ecosystems of the country than ever before. Various natural and human induced factors have been direct or indirect drivers severely affecting ecosystems and biodiversity. However, impacts’ of these drivers have been seldom analyzed and hence, they remain mostly unidentified. Socio-economics is a relevant indirect driver that significantly affects the ecosystem functioning, by affecting the overall ecosystem goods and services. Socio-economic evaluations are fundamental to understand the scenarios and requirement of appropriate local and regional policy interventions that are desired to fit to the location specific requirements and dynamic patterns, coupled with the intrinsic ecosystems changes. Demands of life supporting biomass and exploitation of other forest resources are closely associated to local socio-economics. The forests of Central Himalayas are biodiversity hotspots and source of many ecosystem goods and services for the entire country. These forests appear to be limitless sources of provisioning, regulating, and supporting and cultural ecosystem services. Forests in Central Himalayas have been severely exploited in last few decades for various essential and subsistence demands of locals as well as other larger demands for development in the country. Degraded forest ecosystems generate limited goods and services and are not able to support good quality of life of marginal communities. It is vital to address dependence and requirements improving socio-economics of locals that leads to sustainable utilization of forest resources. Present chapter investigates socio-economic reasons, affecting forest health in Central Himalayas. Dynamics of social and economical set up driving change in forest resource use is imperative to identify opportunities for adaptive and sustainable forest management. Present study provides perspectives based on literature reviews, primary data collected from fields and socio-economic surveys based on informal group discussions and focused personal interviews. Study focuses on the need of developing and supporting existing local forest governance institutions for effective conservation of forests. Paper looks into future prospects and research needs concerning the assessment and management of forest ecosystem services by addressing socio-economics by targeting long-term conservation initiatives to achieve long term and short term biodiversity conservation targets.