Changing Outlook on Harnessing Biodiversity Values – A Special Focus on Indian Himalaya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13052/jgeu0975-1416.914Keywords:
Biodiversity conservation, medicinal plants, restoration, tradi- tional crops, wild edibles.Abstract
The Himalaya, as provider of goods and range of ecosystem services, is vital
for sustaining life of millions of people in uplands and billions in lowlands.
Indian National Action Plan on Climate Change has recognized the region
vital for ecological security of the country. However, growing demand for
bio-resources, combined with inadequate appreciation for values of goods
and services provided by Himalayan biodiversity, has led to the unsustainable
use of these resources, leading to environmental degradation in the region.
The paper also looks into the scenario as to how recent pandemic of COVID
19 has brought increased focus of people on bio-resources of the region.
More importantly it has suggested conservation and sustainable utilization
of biodiversity to ensure for sustaining the continuous flow of ecosystem
services and goods. Biodiversity in the region provides several opportunities,
however, under changing scenario, we need to think afresh and differently on
possibilities of finding better and optimal livelihood options, and the issues
of conservation in the region. In this context, larger focus on conservation
education has been stressed as a way forward. This paper attempts to build
a case for the biodiversity in Indian Himalayan Region through a SWOT assessment. Certain cases have been elaborated wherein the outlook has
changed to harness the values.
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