Himalaya on the Threshold of Change

Description

This book provides a unique and comprehensive assessment of the changes that have been taking place in the Himalayas. It describes in detail all the aspects of change, both natural and cultural, along with their implications, and suggests policy measures to help mitigate them. The book is divided into two major sections – on natural changes and cultural changes – and 11 chapters: an introduction, six addressing changes that concern natural aspects, and four exploring cultural changes and presenting the book’s conclusions. The content is based on a study conducted using a participatory observation/empirical method. Time series data from secondary sources is also included, helping to analyze the various changes. The findings are presented in the form of color graphs, models, maps, photographs, and tables. The book offers a valuable resource for policymakers, and will prove equally useful for all other stakeholders, e.g. researchers, students and development agents. Front Matter ....Pages i-xxxvii Front Matter ....Pages 1-1 Geography and Geology (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 3-19 The Climate of the Uttarakhand Himalaya (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 21-38 Glaciers of the Uttarakhand Himalaya (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 39-45 Water Resources and Change (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 47-61 Forests of Uttarakhand Himalaya (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 63-77 Increasing Events of Disasters (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 79-99 Front Matter ....Pages 101-101 Change in Culture and Custom (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 103-111 Population, Social and Economic Change (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 113-137 Migration and Agrarian Change (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 139-170 Sustainable Development Under Changing Environment (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 171-183 Conclusions (Vishwambhar Prasad Sati)....Pages 185-193