Forests of the Himalaya
Current Scenario, Future Prospects
Rajesh Thadani & Prof. S.P.Singh
Indian Mountain Initiative, SMDS III
Kohima,
26 September, 2013
1. Forest Cover is Declining
• Quality: Loss of dense forest (>40% canopy)
Current Scenario
1. Forest Cover is Declining
• Quantity : Loss of Forest Cover for development, HEPs, urbanisation…
Current Scenario
Despite differences in physical and cultural traits, Himalayan forests have many similar issues
• Chronic disturbance
• Weakened community institutions
• Developmental pressures (HEP, roads)
• Fragmentation - hindering migration and climate change mitigation responses.
Current Scenario
2. Similar narratives across the E-W arc
3. Recognition of Ecosystem Services
• Flood dampening effects of forests, the ability of forests to store Carbon.
• Some progress in monitising these ES
• However, benefits from CDM and REDD have proved elusive.
Current Scenario
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What should we be doing?
“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
Aldo Leopold: A Sand County Almanac
Think Different!
4. Forests are part of a varied landscape• Acknowledge and factor in the impact of Agricultural &
Cultural landscapes.
• Legislation to protect forests is not enough
• Planting of seedlings is not enough
• To protect forests and the diversity within, we need to empathise with real world needs - of local communities and beyond
Moving ahead
5. Get Data
• The Himalaya has been referred to as a ‘white spot’ in IPCC reports due to the lack of data.
• Where data exists, it is often not reliable
• Climate change models often use data from analogous forests.
• To get CDM, REDD credits or PES
• In climate change negotiations and to prove their importance
Build institutional capacity to get data
Moving ahead
6. Not seeing the Forest for the Trees
• Ecosystem structure and function, and ecosystem services matter more than individual trees.
• Degradation may not be just at the canopy level:
– Litter removal impacts ecosystem functioning
– Trophic degradation: loss of fauna, invasive species
Moving ahead
7. ..and ‘Think Like a Forest’
• Work with nature rather than opposing nature. Forests are not agricultural lands.
– Do we always need nursery grown seedlings? Natural regeneration or direct seeding often works better and cheaper.
– If Jhum is to be replaced, are terraced fields the only alternative? Analog forestry where ecosystem functions are mimicked but crop plants are grown could be promoted
Moving ahead
Tree-root bridges of Meghalaya
8. Reduce pressure on forests
• Alternatives to biomass products
• Clean energy from HEPs
Moving ahead
These would help reduce black carbon, improve health indicators and reduce women's drudgery.
9. Modernise Community Forests
• Attention largely to be forest protection.
• Monitoring Biodiversity or Carbon in ways that can be valorised; REDD benefits should flow to local communities; Enhanced NTFP management
• Prevent migration from remote areas
Moving ahead
10. Increase Awareness
• Collate information into policy papers and easy to comprehend forms. Move beyond technical and academic reports.
• Engage with Multiple Stakeholders
• Forests of Himalaya are unique and of international importance.
Moving ahead
Thank you
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