Forests of the Himalaya

Current Scenario, Future Prospects

Rajesh Thadani & Prof. S.P.Singh

Indian Mountain Initiative, SMDS III

Kohima,

26 September, 2013

1. Forest Cover is Declining

• Quality: Loss of dense forest (>40% canopy)

Current Scenario

1. Forest Cover is Declining

• Quantity : Loss of Forest Cover for development, HEPs, urbanisation…

Current Scenario

Despite differences in physical and cultural traits, Himalayan forests have many similar issues

• Chronic disturbance

• Weakened community institutions

• Developmental pressures (HEP, roads)

• Fragmentation - hindering migration and climate change mitigation responses.

Current Scenario

2. Similar narratives across the E-W arc

3. Recognition of Ecosystem Services

• Flood dampening effects of forests, the ability of forests to store Carbon.

• Some progress in monitising these ES

• However, benefits from CDM and REDD have proved elusive.

Current Scenario

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What should we be doing?

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”

Aldo Leopold: A Sand County Almanac

Think Different!

4. Forests are part of a varied landscape• Acknowledge and factor in the impact of Agricultural &

Cultural landscapes.

• Legislation to protect forests is not enough

• Planting of seedlings is not enough

• To protect forests and the diversity within, we need to empathise with real world needs - of local communities and beyond

Moving ahead

5. Get Data

• The Himalaya has been referred to as a ‘white spot’ in IPCC reports due to the lack of data.

• Where data exists, it is often not reliable

• Climate change models often use data from analogous forests.

• To get CDM, REDD credits or PES

• In climate change negotiations and to prove their importance

Build institutional capacity to get data

Moving ahead

6. Not seeing the Forest for the Trees

• Ecosystem structure and function, and ecosystem services matter more than individual trees.

• Degradation may not be just at the canopy level:

– Litter removal impacts ecosystem functioning

– Trophic degradation: loss of fauna, invasive species

Moving ahead

7. ..and ‘Think Like a Forest’

• Work with nature rather than opposing nature. Forests are not agricultural lands.

– Do we always need nursery grown seedlings? Natural regeneration or direct seeding often works better and cheaper.

– If Jhum is to be replaced, are terraced fields the only alternative? Analog forestry where ecosystem functions are mimicked but crop plants are grown could be promoted

Moving ahead

Tree-root bridges of Meghalaya

8. Reduce pressure on forests

• Alternatives to biomass products

• Clean energy from HEPs

Moving ahead

These would help reduce black carbon, improve health indicators and reduce women's drudgery.

9. Modernise Community Forests

• Attention largely to be forest protection.

• Monitoring Biodiversity or Carbon in ways that can be valorised; REDD benefits should flow to local communities; Enhanced NTFP management

• Prevent migration from remote areas

Moving ahead

10. Increase Awareness

• Collate information into policy papers and easy to comprehend forms. Move beyond technical and academic reports.

• Engage with Multiple Stakeholders

• Forests of Himalaya are unique and of international importance.

Moving ahead

Thank you