Ecosystems, Livelihoods and Darjeeling Hills

The Himalayas, one of the key global hotspots of biodiversity, provide livelihoods opportunities to millions of human beings in the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region spreading over 8 countries. Rural population living in remote villages across this region depends on local forest ecosystems for their livelihood. Poor in terms of economic indicators, people living in such areas are rich in their heritage, culture, association with forest ecosystems and in protection and conservation of forests. They understand their deep relationship with nature, and the delicate balance which is key for their survival in such hostile conditions. Roads, market access, health facility, opportunity for education are remote to this area.

Low on many socio-economic indicators, people living in this region are pivotal for the conservation of biodiversity and forest ecosystems. Some of the benefits of biodiversity and conservation of natural resources are realised in cities where the urban population is unaware of these custodians of nature. Mechanisms to streamline this process of benefit sharing, equity and sustainability are required to achieve equitable and sustainable future for the poorest of the poor, living in biodiversity rich areas. Do we have a solution?

Comments

Campaign for the Support of Farmers in India

INDIAN GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO LISTEN TO FARMERS IN REFORMING AGRICULTURE IN INDIA 1. Three new farm acts in India are proving to be the last straw for about 90 million small-holders and their families. This has grave implications for about 800 million rural dwellers who are directly or indirectly dependent on farming for their livelihood. In addition, food security of the entire nation with 1.35 billion population is at risk. 2. Indian government maintains that these farm laws will usher a new economic revolution in the ailing farm sector. 3. Whereas farmers are opposing as they fear losing their land – only source of their livelihood – to corporate backed agri-enterprises. 4. The protest and persistence by farmers have opened up an opportunity for a dialogue between farmers and the government and for a new beginning. This has potential to reform small-holder agriculture but in close consultation with the farmers. 5. However, the rights of these farmers and many associat...

Local Food Systems for Sustainability

Local, traditional, and indigenous food systems were successful in supplying year-round requirements for food and within the environmental constraints. How were they able to do it? What were the practices and principles of local food systems that helped them thrive and maintain growing population in many parts of the world? These food systems have been embedded in the society. Many traditional societies evolved around such unique food systems. Such food systems have been maintaining agricultural biodiversity and are important source of knowledge and culture as documented by the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. For example, rice-fish-duck system in China, traditional agriculture of Koraput, India , Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi in Japan , Andean agriculture, Peru , Maasai Pastoralist Heritage Area in Tanzania , etc. These have been well doc...

All Good Earth and No Seed: Dilemma of an Organic Cotton Farmer

Sitaram, an organic cotton farmer struggles to develop non-GM cotton seed for his future generations. (Photo H. Sandhu) On my recent visits to rural parts of India, I came across a group of organic farmers in Kasrawad town, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh. These farmers switched from high input cotton growing to organic cotton about 15 years ago. I talked to some farmers and they claimed that the smiles on their faces are all due to organic way of producing cotton. They are free from debts owing to input costs of pesticides, GM (genetically modified) seed and fertilisers. Instead they are boasting of fixed deposits in their banks as compared to fellow conventional farmers who are still sticking to GM cotton and hoping for some relief and expecting end to the vicious cycle of debt and crop failure due to periodic droughts in the area. Having said that these organic farmers are not rich or living a luxurious life however, they are living a decent life, largely free fro...

Ecosystems and Well-being

Search This Blog