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Natural resources assessment and their utilization

Analyses from a Himalayan state

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Abstract

The present paper quantifies and reviews the natural resource use in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh (HP). Twenty-five percent of the geographical area of HP is under forests and harbour ca. 3,400 plant species. The available bioresources not only support the livelihood of nearly 6 million people but also fulfill the forage requirement of 5.2 million livestock. Thus, dependence on bioresources is manifold. Based on field surveys to different localities of HP and analyses of published information, two types of resource use patterns have been identified. One, the direct use of forest resources which is represented by extraction of timber, fuelwood and fodder; and the second represents indirect resource use from the forest that is represented by activities related to agriculture, tourism and industry. Amongst the direct resource use, annual timber requirement of the local people works out to be 310,063 m3. On the other hand, annual fuelwood and fodder requirement of local people is to the tune of 3,646,348.8 and 10,294,116.5 tons, respectively. Extraction of fodder therefore appears to be one of the main reasons for forest degradation in HP as opposed to timber and fuelwood extraction. However, compared to direct resource use, indirect resource use and pressures have far more pronounced effect on the forests. Of the indirect pressures, shifts in agriculture patterns and increased tourism seem to be the most prominent.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to the director, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, for facilities and encouragements. The faculty and staff members of the IHBT herbarium are thanked for guidance and fruitful discussions. The State Forest Department, HP, is acknowledged for the help and support. Department of Biotechnology, Government of India is thanked for the financial support.

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  1. Biodiversity Division, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, CSIR, Post Box 6, Palampur, 176061, HP, India

    Sanjay Kr. Uniyal & Rakesh D. Singh

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Uniyal, S.K., Singh, R.D. Natural resources assessment and their utilization. Environ Monit Assess 184, 4903–4919 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2311-4

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