Forests’ management for sustainable livelihoods in the Himalaya: a review of existing literature

Abstract

Abstract The Himalaya has rich forest biodiversity. Forest types and their distribution vary along the altitudinal gradient from the river valleys to the middle altitudes, the highlands, and the alpine pasture and from broad leave delicious forests to pine, mixed oak forests, coniferous forests, and alpine meadows. In the meantime, their presence is not uniformed—more in the river valleys and the middle altitudes and less in the highlands. This chapter examines forests’ management for sustainable livelihoods in the Indian Central Himalayan Region (ICHR). Data were gathered from the secondary sources, existing literature review, and field observation. Forests cover a total of 63% area with high economic viability. The rural poor people, who comprise 70% of the total population, are directly or indirectly dependent on these forests for carrying their livelihood, mainly on timber and nontimber forests’ products. Meanwhile, the most of forests’ products are underused due to their inaccessibility and also because of India s Forest Act 1982, which has been rigorously adopted in this part of the Himalaya. This has increased in forests cover during the recent past. This study suggests that sustainable management and optimum use of forest resources will enhance the livelihoods and prosperity of the rural people in the ICHR.