Environmental conservation in spite of population pressure: a concept for mountain regions
Zurek, E.C.
Entwicklung + Landlicher Raum 25(2): 7-10
1991
Document Number: 374983
The Indo-German Dhauladhar Project (IGDP) located in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, is a farm forestry project. It can be characterized as a poverty-orientated regional rural development project, aiming at long-term sustained ecological rehabilitation of the project area, along with improvement of the living conditions of the resident population. In order to meet project objectives, afforestation and soil conservation measures have been implemented, supported by allied activities such as improved animal husbandry, agricultural and horticultural practices, energy-saving devices and self-employment schemes, to increase the availability of biomass, to improve the living conditions and thus income of local residents, and to strengthen the self-help capacities of target groups. While the results of technical programmes are quite convincing, and those of the social development approach employed are even beyond expectations, the ultimate goal of 'ecological rehabilitation of the project area' could only be achieved partly. But, considering the circumstances involved, the IGDP can be assessed as quite a successful experiment, which, via adaption of specific programmes to local conditions, can be transferred to mountain regions outside the Western Himalayas as well. In addition, the social development approach employed forms a convincing model of integrating local target groups successfully in planned development activities, and by that a key to sustainability of interventions from outside.