Agrarian economy of the Central Himalaya

Though the understanding of the institu tional framework of land resource utilisa tion is the utmost priority for formulating and implementing environmentally sustain able strategy for development in the Hima laya, yet very little is known about the basic features of agrarian economy of the Himalaya. This is urgent not only to save the Himalaya and to maintain the perennial ity of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, but also to sustain the fertile future of the food bowl of the Gangetic plains.

The present study is an attempt to analyse the basic interaction between man and mountains. Land resources are the ker nel around which the human habitat has always been revolved and agglomerated.

Keeping in view of its significance, the integrated facits of the Himalayan socio economic system, based on agrarian struc ture and land resource utilisation, are analy sed namely, agricultural economy; agrarian relations; utilisation of work force; technol ogy and agriculture in the Central Hima laya. The data on land resource utilisation published since 1815 have been computed. This data analysis has been supported by primary data collected through sample sur vey in the Central Himalaya.

This book would fill the present vac uum by providing socio-economic under standing of the environmental sustainability and utilisation of land resources in the Cen tral Himalaya.

The book will be useful as an essential reference volume for the researchers, planners, administrators and students, as well the general reader working or feeling concern for the burning imbalances be tween environment and development, spe cifically in the Central Himalaya.