In this brief and to-the-point (10 precise points) talk, Rajesh Thadani presents the issues confronting Himalayan forests and the solutions that need to be implemented to preserve them and the communities that depend on them.

1. Forests of the Himalaya
Current Scenario, Future Prospects
Rajesh Thadani & Prof. S.P.Singh
Indian Mountain Initiative, SMDS III
Kohima,
26 September, 2013

2. 1. Forest Cover is Declining
• Quality: Loss of dense forest (>40% canopy)
Current Scenario

3. 1. Forest Cover is Declining
• Quantity : Loss of Forest Cover for development,
HEPs, urbanisation…
Current Scenario

4. 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

5. 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

6. 6

7. 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!

8. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Tree-root bridges of Meghalaya

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. Thank you