Book review - ‘Conserving resources in the Himalayas’

1. Classification of Himalayan land: Dr. SK Bandooni

The author argues that a piece of land must be analysed scientifically before it is used.  It is important to study its characteristics and understand what could harm it. Failing to do this, might harm the land and even leave it unproductive. 9 sets of data are used to classify the Himalayas. These include slope, topography, vegetation, rainfall and land use patterns among others. The area is divided into six parts depending on the suitability of the land for particular uses such as irrigated and rain-fed agriculture, afforestation etc. The author has used published data as well as findings from his own research to classify the Alakananda basin per this method.

2. Land use classification of the Nanda-Devi biodiversity area: Dr. MS Pawar and Vijay Pokhriyal

As the title suggests, this paper examines the Nanda Devi biodiversity reserve. It begins with an overview of the geography, demographics (including livelihood practices) and the climate of the area. It explains the nuances involved in managing a biodiversity reserve, its impact and the resultant conflict. It ends with suggestions for better management of the reserved forest. 

3. Growing vegetables and fruits in mountain areas using polyhouse technology: Dr. Harpal Singh Negi

Polyhouse technology is the use of plastic-sheeting to create a hot-house like protected environment where vegetables and herbs can be grown successfully. The article explains this process in great detail. As the second largest supplier in the global vegetable market, India must focus on the Himalayan areas to increase vegetable production. To do this, we must create vegetable and herb strains as well as develop agricultural techniques that are suited to the unique mountain situation, which is characterised by long cold winters, and increasing aridity.  

4. Herb cultivation as a means of income: Dr. Harpal Singh Negi

Herbs can be used to supplement income, according to this paper. A table in the article lists the herbs best suited for various altitudes. The seven most recommended herbs, namely sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina), safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), dhrut kumari (aloe vera), chirayata (Swertia chirata)  and kutaki (Piccorrhiza kurroa) are described in detail along with methods to cultivate and harvest them.

5. Nature of land use in Rudraprayag: Reena Rawat and Anita Pharaswan

This paper explains the ways people in Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand used land in a way that did not stress its natural resources such as water and forest. It also discusses strategies to meet increasing food, land and water needs due to rising population. Land use statistics, which present the extent of land used for agriculture, the area of forest cover, etc are shown in the tables that accompany this chapter.

6. Status and trends of agriculture and livestock rearing in Uttarakhand: Dr. Rakesh Chandra Gairola.

87% of the people in Uttarakhand practice agriculture and livestock rearing, says this paper. It also explains other related statistics such as the numbers of different animals in the state, areas where various crops are grown and cropping patterns that are followed. This chapter gives a comprehensive overview of these livelihood practices and the challenges they face due to their location. The author lists deforestation, road construction, unregulated grazing, soil erosion, intense rainfall, and human-animal conflicts as the chief challenges to growth in the area.

Water conservation

7. A gentle environmentalist of the Himalayas: Dr. SK Bandooni and Dr. Kaushal Kumar Sharma

Sacchidanand Bharti didn’t go looking for fame. It came to him because he worked silently and diligently towards a goal. This chapter acknowledges his work and states that instead of exploiting our forests and rivers in such a way that they are destroyed, we should manage them well so that future generations can benefit from them as well.

8. An overview of water management in Uttarakhand: Ramesh Pahari

This article contains data on the number of villages supplied with drinking water, extent of irrigated land, types and numbers of irrigation systems, length and volume of major rivers etc. Nearly half the habitation in Uttarakhand does not have access to piped drinking water, says this chapter, backing up its claim with relevant data. Similarly, only one-eighth of the cultivated land is irrigated. There are two reasons for this – one, lift irrigation from the rivers is not possible beyond a certain height and two, farmers are too poor to buy pumps and the size of their landholding doesn’t justify the investment either. The chapter also talks of hydropower and rainwater harvesting.

9. Contamination of groundwater: Janhit foundation

This chapter presents case studies that illustrate the problem of groundwater pollution in Uttar Pradesh. It begins by giving statistics on water availability and requirements in India. Despite the title, it also describes the causes and extent of pollution in the Ganga, the Hindan and other rivers. The chapter goes on to discuss groundwater pollution due to pesticides in Daurala (near Meerut in Uttar Pradesh),  conflicts due to pollution of drinking water  in JayBhimNagar (on the banks of River Kali in Uttar Pradesh), and industrial pollution in various areas near Meerut, among others. The impact of this pollution on health, especially incidents of cancer, skin ailments, cardiac trouble and gastro-intestinal complaints is discussed.

10. Dams are the temples of modern India: Sunil Kumar Sharma and Arvind Kumar Sharma

This chapter examines Jawaharlal Nehru's famous statement, “Dams are the temples of modern India”, and juxtaposes it with the real impact of dams on water resources and the people of India. This too, presents data pertaining to Uttarakhand, specifically related to dams, canals, and rivers including the number of dams, the height of each, the number and length of canals and rivers etc.

Forest Conservation

14: Problems and management of soil, water and forest conservation in Himachal Pradesh: Acharya Ratna Lal Verma

The author warns us that in the search for 'development', we are moving away from harmony with nature and towards utter ruin. We need to understand the natural resources that we are squandering to realize their importance to our future. The article then describes Himachal Pradesh including the various crises facing land, water, and forests. The land that was once available to agriculture and forests is now taken over by mining and construction, which aggravates landslides. Himachal's rivers are polluted and dammed. The forests bear the brunt of increasing population as they are cut to make the way for new settlements. The author lists the reasons for these crises and the ways to overcome them.

15. The support of life in Himachal Pradesh: Sanjeev Sharma, Jitendra Sinha Butola, and Parul Sharma

The article states that water, forests and land are crucial for life in Himachal Pradesh. It goes on to describe the current state of these resources, challenges such as over-population and the resultant over exploitation, and means of overcoming these challenges. This article presents useful data about rainfall patterns, landslides and the density of trees in the state. It ends with recommendations for effective management of these resources.

16. Community-based livestock management in the Uttarakhand Himalaya: Dr. Lakshman Prasad Semwal and Jitendra Joshi

Several people in the Himalayas are dependent on the physically demanding task of managing livestock, especially sheep and goats. For social and economic progress in the region, it is necessary to include animal husbandry in policies and programmes designed for the state. The cottage industries related to animal husbandry such as the production of woollen products like thulma, pashmina and kambals is dying out. This chapter looks at the district of Tehri Garhwal and the community-based livestock management being practised there. It presents data on the various animals in the region, the uses to which they are put, and the facilities available for their care. The article also speculates on the reasons for the decline of animal husbandry and presents means of overcoming this decline.

17. Strategies of conservation and management in Uttarakhand (especially in the context of abandoned cows): Dr. Maheshwar Dutt

Uttarakhand has abundant natural resources in its fruits, minerals, water and livestock. It is also an upcoming tourist destination. Despite this, it is considered a poor state. The author speculates that one reason for this could be that cows are not preferred animals here. They are considered to be not very productive. The author however, points out the importance of cows and strongly argues for community-based cow-rearing.

Miscellaneous