Manual for comprehensive environmental and socio-economic monitoring in Kailash Sacred landscape, India

Abstract

Need for systematic documentation of rapidly vanishing bio-resources in the Himalayan region and long term monitoring of environmental parameters in the wake of changing climate has long been felt by the ecologists and natural resource managers. Long term ecological and socio-economic monitoring (LTESEM) was visualized as one of the major components of Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCDI) since early stage of programme formulation. Accordingly, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), under its transboundary landscape programme, organized a series of expert consultations and workshops to finalize key parameters and protocols for monitoring. During the first phase of programme implementation (2013-’17), the Kailash partners tested these protocols in their respective countries. It was decided that the detailed methods used for monitoring various parameters would be compiled and disseminated among researchers, teachers and students desirous of initiating ecological observations and monitoring. Keeping this in view, we have brought out this manual covering various tools and techniques giving specific examples from Indian part of Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL).