54
S. Dhyani and D. Dhyani
Services) for Asia Pacific in March, 2018 has highlighted that unsustainable production and consumption are important root causes of biodiversity loss, impaired
ecosystem services, leading to reduced support to human well being and nature’s
benefits to people. These reflections are well highlighted and endorsed in global,
regional and national biodiversity targets (Aichi Targets), policy formulations and
documents so that appropriate actions shall be taken aiming at halting and reversing
biodiversity loss (CBD 2012a; Tittensor et al. 2014). References of addressing socioeconomic drivers of biodiversity loss have found their place in globally important
COP meetings for CBD (Convention on Biodiversity) and also IUCN World Conservation Congresses including the most recent one in Hawaii (2016) and in the UN
assessments of IPBES (2015–2018) (Diaz et al. 2015). Concerns of strengthening
community conservation efforts are also mentioned in National Biodiversity Action
Plan (Government of India 2008). Considering the magnitude of biodiversity loss
socio-economic demands in changing climate and to fulfill increased commercial
demands needs to be readdressed. The key weaknesses that undermine institutional
ability to address the threats and challenges are:
• Insufficient opportunities for alternative livelihood
Study areas located in remote and undulating valleys are having very less opportunities of livelihoods. Traditional agriculture, livestock rearing and forest dependent subsistence lifestyle is insufficient to bring benefits to support good quality
of life. Though government has been trying to provide a lot of subsidies as well
as giving opportunities for livelihood through MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi Rural
Employment Guarantee scheme) but the involvement is not satisfactory. Present
generations are more attracted to lucrative opportunities that can bring them more
money in fewer efforts.
• Restrictions on mountaineering and grazing as livelihood
Mountaineering has been banned in most of the high altitude peaks because of
them falling in protected forests. Locals earned a significant part of their livelihood from mountaineering being porters or any other mountaineering related livelihood. Before ban being imposed local and indigenous transhumant communities
(Bhotiya tribes) were traditionally involved in sheep and goat rearing post ban they
are devoid of livelihood opportunities. Though, it has been also reported that ban
on livestock grazing has also enhanced invasion of exotic plants in alpine areas of
Central Himalayas. So, instead of grazing many of them having sound idea of these
alpines and pastures are damaging the same areas for illegal collection of MAPs
and Coryceps sinensis. Major part of these high altitude forest are inaccessible to
forest department due to insufficient manpower, complex terrain and geography.
Lack of sufficient and well-equipped forest guards is a major issue that needs to
be addressed. Less number of forest guards is are insufficient to deter locals from
poaching and illegal extraction of resources.
• Ignoring socio-economics as an important driver of biodiversity loss
Sustaining Himalayan ecosystems will require better understanding of socioeconomic issues in Central Himalayas and addressing them to target long-term
conservation benefits. Locals have been custodians of nature conservation but
S. Dhyani and D. Dhyani
Services) for Asia Pacific in March, 2018 has highlighted that unsustainable production and consumption are important root causes of biodiversity loss, impaired
ecosystem services, leading to reduced support to human well being and nature’s
benefits to people. These reflections are well highlighted and endorsed in global,
regional and national biodiversity targets (Aichi Targets), policy formulations and
documents so that appropriate actions shall be taken aiming at halting and reversing
biodiversity loss (CBD 2012a; Tittensor et al. 2014). References of addressing socioeconomic drivers of biodiversity loss have found their place in globally important
COP meetings for CBD (Convention on Biodiversity) and also IUCN World Conservation Congresses including the most recent one in Hawaii (2016) and in the UN
assessments of IPBES (2015–2018) (Diaz et al. 2015). Concerns of strengthening
community conservation efforts are also mentioned in National Biodiversity Action
Plan (Government of India 2008). Considering the magnitude of biodiversity loss
socio-economic demands in changing climate and to fulfill increased commercial
demands needs to be readdressed. The key weaknesses that undermine institutional
ability to address the threats and challenges are:
• Insufficient opportunities for alternative livelihood
Study areas located in remote and undulating valleys are having very less opportunities of livelihoods. Traditional agriculture, livestock rearing and forest dependent subsistence lifestyle is insufficient to bring benefits to support good quality
of life. Though government has been trying to provide a lot of subsidies as well
as giving opportunities for livelihood through MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi Rural
Employment Guarantee scheme) but the involvement is not satisfactory. Present
generations are more attracted to lucrative opportunities that can bring them more
money in fewer efforts.
• Restrictions on mountaineering and grazing as livelihood
Mountaineering has been banned in most of the high altitude peaks because of
them falling in protected forests. Locals earned a significant part of their livelihood from mountaineering being porters or any other mountaineering related livelihood. Before ban being imposed local and indigenous transhumant communities
(Bhotiya tribes) were traditionally involved in sheep and goat rearing post ban they
are devoid of livelihood opportunities. Though, it has been also reported that ban
on livestock grazing has also enhanced invasion of exotic plants in alpine areas of
Central Himalayas. So, instead of grazing many of them having sound idea of these
alpines and pastures are damaging the same areas for illegal collection of MAPs
and Coryceps sinensis. Major part of these high altitude forest are inaccessible to
forest department due to insufficient manpower, complex terrain and geography.
Lack of sufficient and well-equipped forest guards is a major issue that needs to
be addressed. Less number of forest guards is are insufficient to deter locals from
poaching and illegal extraction of resources.
• Ignoring socio-economics as an important driver of biodiversity loss
Sustaining Himalayan ecosystems will require better understanding of socioeconomic issues in Central Himalayas and addressing them to target long-term
conservation benefits. Locals have been custodians of nature conservation but