Local Socio-Economic Dynamics Shaping
Forest Ecosystems in Central Himalayas
Shalini Dhyani and Deepak Dhyani
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
S. Dhyani (B)
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur
440020, Maharashtra, India
e-mail: shalini3006@gmail.com
D. Dhyani
Society for Conserving Planet and Life, Badrinath Road, Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal 246174,
Uttarakhand, India
e-mail: drddhyani@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
N. Roy et al. (eds.), Socio-economic and Eco-biological Dimensions
in Resource use and Conservation, Environmental Science and Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32463-6_3
31
Forest Ecosystems in Central Himalayas
Shalini Dhyani and Deepak Dhyani
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
S. Dhyani (B)
National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur
440020, Maharashtra, India
e-mail: shalini3006@gmail.com
D. Dhyani
Society for Conserving Planet and Life, Badrinath Road, Srinagar, Pauri Garhwal 246174,
Uttarakhand, India
e-mail: drddhyani@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
N. Roy et al. (eds.), Socio-economic and Eco-biological Dimensions
in Resource use and Conservation, Environmental Science and Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32463-6_3
31