Assessing livelihood-ecosystem interdependencies and natural resource governance in a tribally controlled region of India’s north-eastern middle Himalayas

Mark Everard (), Gaurav Kataria (), Smita Kumar () and Nishikant Gupta ()
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Mark Everard: University of the West of England
Gaurav Kataria: AE Travel Pvt. Ltd
Smita Kumar: AE Travel Pvt. Ltd
Nishikant Gupta: University of the West of England

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2021, vol. 23, issue 5, No 60, 7772-7790

Abstract: Abstract Mountains host high biological and cultural diversity, generating ecosystem services beneficial over multiple geographical scales but suffering significant vulnerabilities. A case study in Lileng village (Arunachal Pradesh, Indian north-east Himalayas) explored linkages between a community with protected tribal rights and the forest and river ecosystems within which they are situated. Evidence was gathered through interviews and literature review about ecosystem service benefits, using the Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services approach. Subsequent analysis using the social, technological, environmental, economic, political framework found close, synergistic relationships between local people and the ecosystems for which they have protected tribal rights. Authoritative local governance arrangements prioritise community subsistence needs, limiting the influence of external state government and private actors on natural resource exploitation. Further sustainable economic development could stem from recognition of the value of ecosystem services produced by intact and functional habitats, and the potential for development of ‘payment for ecosystem services’ markets in addition to ecotourism and cultural tourism. Low food sufficiency and poverty observed in a previous study conducted in Uttarakhand state of the central Indian Middle Himalayas, principal drivers of out-migration and gender/age inequalities, were not evident in Lileng or surrounding areas, apparently linked to tribal rights and authoritative local governance in Arunachal Pradesh leading to greater resource security. Better understanding of ecosystem–community relationships in areas with protected tribal rights can highlight sustainable policies and practices that may be translated into wider geo-political areas, especially in the wake of projected climate change stresses.

Keywords: Arunachal Pradesh; Community-based management; Livelihoods; North-east Himalayas; PES; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-020-00945-1

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