Sustainable Agriculture in a Cold Desert: Case Study of Lahaul and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh is known for its geographical ruggedness and harsh climatic conditions with dry summers and long freezing winters. The inhabitants of this region are largely dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. There is a dominance of small and marginal farms in Lahaul and Spiti due to the limited availability of cultivable land. Lahaul and Spiti has a dry temperate climate and receives negligible rainfall. It lies in the rain shadow area, so glacial water is the only source of irrigation. Inadequate snowfall during winter season and depletion of glaciers due to rise in temperature is posing a threat to the farmers who are completely dependent on these snow reservoirs for irrigation. This increases the risk of crop failure and poses a serious threat to the livelihood of farmers. There has been a shift in cropping pattern from traditional and resilient crops to economically rewarding crops like peas and cauliflower to get larger monetary benefits. The water-intensive nature of such crops is exerting pressure on the limited water resources in the region. The present study is based on a primary survey of two villages, ‘Ghoshal’ of Lahaul valley and ‘Losar’ of Spiti valley in the context of irrigation facilities. The survey results reveal that agricultural sustainability is highly dependent on the sustainability of water resources in the region.