Ecology and management of the alpine landscape in the Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim, Himalaya

Abstract

In Sikkim the villagers practice a mixed livelihood strategy earning their income from agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. Livestock such as yak, cow, sheep, horse, buffalo and goats are grazed in the forests and alpine meadows of the state. During the beginning of the 20th century the forests of the state were demarcated and the Khasmahal and Goucharan forests were specifically set aside to meet the fodder and firewood demands of the villagers. The The genesis of this study lies in this conflict, wherein it was realized that a sound understanding of the ecology of the alpine meadows and pastoralism was needed to ensure effective management of these unique and fragile environments. It is with this objective that the present research study titled “Ecology and Management of Alpine Landscape in the Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim Himalaya” was initiated in 2004 which would evolve a long term conservation plan for the alpine zone of KNP. The study spans over a large spatial scale covering all the major watersheds of KNP and aims to bridge the knowledge gaps related to structure and composition of the alpine vegetation, alpine landscape characterization, sustainability of pastoralism, conservation strategy and co-management experiments. The purpose of the study is to provide a scientific basis for the long term conservation and sustainable and equitable use of the resources of the alpine zone of KNP to promote sustainable development in the state. The significance of the study is based in its ability to contribute in the formulation of a conservation plan for the alpine zone of KNP and a rational pastoral policy for the Sikkim Himalaya.