Complexities and Controversies in Himalayan Research: A Call for Collaboration and Rigor for Better Data

Abstract

High quality, off season pea farming in Spithi HimalayaReport of the Task Force 1The IHR States must embark on a development path that does not disturb the primary colours of this picture: white, blue, green and brown representing the precious natural resources of the IHR, namely the snow and water, forest, and land. Report of the Task ForceTo look into problems of hill states and hill areas and to suggest ways to ensure that these states and areas do not suffer in any way because of their peculiarities

A new Himalayan crisis? Exploring transformative resilience pathways

“…While the Himalayas as a region is not a political and ecological unit per se for the people who inhabit the region, it is actually a unit created and mobilized by the agencies who use a Western technocratic lens and promoted the notion for organising their research and development interventions in the region. The Himalayas are also not a uniform entity as it is sometimes considered; in fact, they encompass a range of variations in environmental, social and cultural terms (Singh and Thadani, 2015), with some basic elements and uniqueness, such as mountains, ice-fed river systems, remoteness, fragility and marginality, niche environment, and socio-ecological complexity.…”

“…polar research), interest in mountain research and development can still be considered substantial. Nevertheless, mountain research efforts have failed to contribute to positive change, as they continue to have a biophysical focus, often with reductionist approaches to science (see Singh and Thadani, 2015 for an example of the limitatubs of science in contributing to polarized debates on hydroelectric projects). The entire history of research and development in the region has thus centred on fragmented scientific approaches, such as checking surface soil erosion and managing vegetative cover as a source of mountain conservation (Ries, 1995).…”

“…Projections of the impacts of climate change in the future are concerning, albeit with contested predictions on the fate of the Himalayas owing to the complexity of the earth's biophysical processes and limits of human knowledge, computer simulations, and climate science itself (Singh and Thadani, 2015;Schiermeier, 2010;Panday and Bardsley, 2015;Petley et al, 2007;Shrestha et al, 2012). With the third largest ice mass on the planet, and supporting about 1.5 billion people in South Asia alone (including some of the world's most disadvantaged groups), the Himalayas have once again become a hotspot of socio-environmental crises.…”

“…For this to happen, local researchers are required. Hence, the capacity of local people and researchers needs to be strengthened (Singh and Thadani, 2015;O'Brien, 2012) so that they not only challenge dominant presuppositions guiding development practices but also generate independent knowledge within the region. In 26 that sense, a new mindscape -consisting of local researchers and mountain people and embracing new ways of thinking and acting -is needed to tackle the new Himalayan crisis.…”

“…Despite over five decades of research and development efforts, institutions in the Himalayas are still grappling with understanding the socio-geo-environmental underpinnings of the Himalayan challenges (see, Singh and Thadani, 2015). As a result, environment and development responses have failed to provide sustainable livelihoods and secure the safety of people, especially those who are socioeconomically marginalized.…”