Socio-economic analysis of a participatory integrated watershed management in Garhwal Himalaya

There is perhaps no other single geographical feature which has greater influence on the life, culture and history of the people in our Continent than the mighty Himalayas. They being highly sensitive to human interference, there are dangers of obvious ecological im balances being set in motion in this region. Unbearable human and livestock pressure coupled with faulty landuse, indiscriminate deforestation and ill-coordinated gamut of de velopmental efforts have lead to rapid irreversible depletion of land and water resources, bio-diversity and environmental degradation. It is high time that efforts are made in a integrated manner for eco-restoration, bio-preservation and socio-economic upliftment of the hill people.

Landuse is a complex and dynamic combination of factors, such as, geology. topography, hydrology, soil, micro-climate, vegetation and animal kingdoms interacting under the influence of socio-cultural and economic situations. The use to which land is subjected, would also be determined by its capability and suitability.

Participatory integrated watershed management is now a widely accepted technology for resource management in totality and coherently with people's participation in a holistic manner. Fakot Watershed Management Project in Garhwal Himalayas is one of the pioneering and most successful projects developed by Central Soil and Water Con servation Research and Training Institute, Dehradun. The project is a live model of com munity driven self-sustainable development for lower and middle Himalayas.

The bulletin is an outcome of 11 years of dedicated efforts of implementation and 21 years of voluminous data collected in a systematic manner by the Institute scientists. The data have been analysed comprehensively covering all aspects of watershed management with emphasis on arable and non-arable land, livestock, socio-economic, hydrology, environment, employment, people's participation and sustainable development, etc., with concrete suggestions. The bulletin would be of great use to the hill people, administrators, planners, implementors, evaluators, NGO's and students. The bulletin is a timely and valu able addition to the budding literature on integrated watershed management in the lower and middle Himalayas in general, and impact analysis in particular.