A study on the resource dependence, human-wildlife conflict and community participation in forest management in Alaknand basin, Uttarakhand.

Abstract

Himalayan mountains are highly dynamic systems with both natural and anthropogenic disturbances acting as integral drivers of natural system dynamics in the region. The consequent changes brought into the system determine ecosystem productivity and the flow of ecosystem services to the humans. Any degradation of ecosystem functions and services will increase both the environmental and socioeconomic vulnerability of mountain communities which are highly reliant on natural systems, particularly forests of the area. The objectives of the study were to: a) quantify the extent of extraction of plant resources in different villages located at different elevations; b) assess the availability of major phyto-resources in and around the villages and surrounding forests along elevational gradient in the Alaknanda river basin; c) assess the extent of human-wildlife conflicts affecting the livelihood in the study area; and d) measure the contribution of community forest management practices in livelihoods of local communities. Four hypothesis were framed as: a) patterns of both availability and the extraction of forest resources in the study area xi change along the elevational gradient; b) human–wildlife conflicts negatively impact livelihood generation of affected communities; c) community forest management practices play a role in augmenting livelihood of local communities in the area; and d) better managed forests in an area are the result of community participation in forest management