Abstracts

Mitigation Options for Unsustainable Development: Pathways to Environmental Sustainability

Joint Forest Management and Mutual Trust: Lessons Learnt from a Transdisciplinary Action Research Project and Mitigation Pathways

Babar Shahbaz* and Abid Q. Suleri**

Joint or collaborative forest management arrangement between state authorities and local stakeholders is now considered as an effective strategy for sustainable governance of natural forests. The foremost intention of such paradigms is to develop co-ordination, trust and friendly relationship between both the parties, i.e. state and local communities. In the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan, the system of joint forest management (JFM) has been tried through various donor-funded projects, but continued degradation of forests puts a question mark on the effectiveness of such interventions. Historically rooted sense of distrust, dearth of confidence and communication gap between the state and local stakeholders is indicated by many researchers as some of the key hindrance factors in the successful implementation of JFM in the NWFP. In this perspective, this paper reports the findings of a transdisciplinary action research project implemented in the forest rich areas of the NWFP. The main objective of this project was to set off a continued process of policy dialogues – mediated by independent and research-informed scientists – to strengthen the sense of trust and confidence and to break the communication barriers among local stakeholders and state actors. Mediation and dialogue were used as tools for transdisciplinary action and for building trust among the stakeholders, while the most innovative aspect of this project was that the whole process was moderated by independent researchers and members of the civil society rather than the state authorities or donor organizations.

The impact assessment of the project was carried out through focus group discussions and open-ended questionnaires from the respondents selected from various groups of stakeholders including officials of the forest and other relevant departments, members of local community organizations, NGOs and common villagers. The paper argues that the effectiveness of participatory forest management initiatives are very much depended on mutual trust and sense of confidence between the key stakeholders and this can be strengthened through an effective process of dialogue. Various policy recommendations have been given to improve the JFM and to ensure environmental sustainability in the province.

* Dr. Babar Shahbaz is a Visiting Fellow, Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad, Senior Researcher NCCR (North-South), Switzerland and Faculty at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Pakistan).

** Dr. Abid Q. Suleri is the Executive Director of SDPI.

Revisiting Development and Environment: Case Study of Two Watershed Management Programs in Bundelkhand Region under Uttar Pradesh, India

R. Siva Prasad* and Vinay Tripathi**

Human dependence on nature was always institutionalized in terms of cultural norms, practices and religious beliefs. This has sustained their dependence on nature in a symbiotic way for many centuries. There is now a break up of this nexus due to different governmental policies and developmental initiatives, including technological innovations and various other interventions in different areas, leading to depletion of resources, thereby affecting the livelihoods and survival of the dependent population (there is also a need to look at the colonial legacy in this break up).

A good proportion of India’s population continue to depend on natural resources (particularly land and water) for eking out their livelihoods (this also holds true in case of other South Asian countries). As a result of many induced factors, the condition of these resources has become deplorable today, thus affecting the livelihoods of the poor. Many initiatives (in the form of programs and policies) have been launched by the Government of India to reverse this process of degradation of land and water resources. Watershed management programs (WMPs) is one such initiative. The program which was understood merely as a soil and water conservation measure has evolved into a potential strategy of poverty reduction. This changed perspective could be attributed largely to the increased awareness of human environment relationship and its significance in WMPs.

It is hypothesised that the WMPs that take cognisance of human dimensions will be successful and sustainable to tackle poverty and environment degradation. On the contrary, the ones which underestimate the significance of human dimensions will fail to deliver expected outcomes. Our paper attempts to understand the role of community participation, and its significance for the sustainability and success of WMPs.

Sources of Data
This paper makes use of both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected during 2004-05 and 2007-08 by employing anthropological techniques, like participant observation, unstructured informal interviews, case studies and household census schedules. Secondary data includes data from official reports, documents and records, published and unpublished research reports and articles.

Objectives

• understand the impact of development programs and policies on environment;
• examine the human-nature relationship in the context of induced development;
• analyze the concept of community participation in restoring land and water resources;
• reflect on the development-environment nexus and sustainability of WMPs; and
• analyze the impact of WMPs on the village community.

Expected Findings

• Past development and policy regimes have negatively impacted natural resource endowments, including land and water.
• The traditional cultural and social mechanisms to maintain natural resources were completely neglected by policy makers and development planners, and this has led to the deterioration of land and water resources.
• This has also led to increasing competition to exploit the ground water resources to augment irrigated agriculture, thus leading to depletion of groundwater resources.
• Traditional irrigation wells, ponds and other water bodies have either vanished or have almost become defunct.
• Dominant sections of society have occupied the dried up water body lands, thus furthering the depletion of natural water bodies.
• The WMPs have encouraged community participation to restore land and water resources.
• Socio-cultural factors have a significant bearing on the functioning and sustainability of WMPs.

* Dr. R. Siva Prasad is an Associate Professor and Reader at the Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500046, Andhra Pradesh, India. He has extensive fieldwork experience in different States of India and has also worked on diverse themes focusing on the poor and vulnerable sections of Indian society.

** Vinay Tripathi is a Research Scholar at the Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Impacts of Armed Conflict on Natural Resources in Nepal: Challenges in Environmental Sustainability

Bishnu Raj Upreti*

Based on the study of impact of ten years of armed conflict on natural resources, this paper explores challenges in environmental sustainability. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the patterns of practices used during the time of the armed conflict by the government, insurgents and people and their relations with environmental sustainability. Firstly, this paper briefly presents conflict dynamics on environment and natural resources. Secondly, it examines major causes of the armed conflict and its impact on biodiversity (protected areas and wildlife, wildlife trading, etc.), natural resources (forests, genetic resources, water, land and agriculture), environmental services and environmental governance. Further, the paper discusses environmental impact on the cantonments (where Peoples Liberation Army of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist are confined and monitored by the Unlisted Missions in Nepal-UNMIN). Finally this paper highlights innovative ways and means used to address environmental challenges faced by Nepal because of a decade long insurgency. The lessons learnt from the management of Kanchanganga Conservation Area Project (KCAP) by local people themselves indicate that local people can develop innovative response strategies and effectively implement them even during the stressed situation of violent armed conflict. They were able to mobilize local community to deal with the rebel groups and state security forces to minimize the negative impacts of armed conflict on natural resources and environment. Based on the analysis of KCAP in the context of armed conflicts, the paper argues that once local people are organized and promote social inclusion in their activities, and organize 'social and geographical audit' to maintain transparency and accountability, the obstruction from warring parties is reduced.

The study was conducted in Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Kaski, Myagdi and Mustang districts of Nepal from May to December 2007 using qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collected from Bhojpur, Rupandehi, Dang, Pyuthan, Rolpa and Dolakha districts by the author for earlier studies have been incorporated in the paper. One of the most effective mitigating options observed in the context of KCAP was the adaptation of flexible approach and continuous adjustment of the operation to respond to the conflict situation. The paper concludes that in the face of negative impacts of armed conflict, local communities, with appropriate training and backstopping from researchers, were able to develop an innovative set of skills, knowledge and competence as well as operational strategies and flexible approaches to respond to the conflict situation.

* Dr. Bishnu Raj Upreti is Regional Coordinator of NCCR North-South based in Kathamndu (Nepal) and actively engaged in teaching and research in the field of resource and environmental conflict, and development.

Adaptation Strategies to Extreme Climatic Events for Coastal Orissa: A Perspective

M. A. Khalid*, D. Chakraborty**, A. S. Ashwin*** and K. K. Burnwal****

Orissa in India is facing the brunt of extreme climatic events ravaging its coastal population economically, socially and ecologically. Since the primary source of livelihood of the people in this state is directly linked to climate-sensitive sectors such as farming, forestry and fisheries, development of effective adaptation strategies becomes all the more necessary. To effectively tackle natural disasters, it is essential to focus on reducing the community’s vulnerability and this can only be done successful through adaptation of long-term measures. The study concentrates on documentation of adaptation strategies taken up by the local communities in Orissa and suggests improvements in making it more effective in the event of extreme climate. Strategies in the coastal state of Orissa can range from structural adaptations such as developing stronger and safer settlements that can withstand floods and cyclones, constructing sea walls and embankments in the coastal districts, building cyclone and flood shelters, stabilizing sand dunes, planting shelter belts in the coastal areas to protecting against windstorms and cyclones, shielding and extending the mangroves, and non-structural adaptations such as crop and house insurances, diversifying income options, changing cropping patterns and developing village and household level contingency plans.

Despite the national and international aid to cope with natural disasters, nearly all the programs in the state have been reactive in nature and cannot be an appropriate solution to tackle the ‘dangerous climate change’. The rehabilitation adaptation strategies and compensation, on the other hand, create a ‘dependency syndrome’ in the society. Indeed, planned adaptation strategies is the most important way out to tackle the problems created by climate change. What is required is a radical change in the current planned adaptation strategies by encapsulating with ‘livelihood options’ and efficient ‘technologies’. Though community adaptation measures like changing sowing time for agricultural crops, traditional rainwater harvesting, painting the rooftops with white paints, etc., may appear to be successful, the need is to upgrade these traditional knowledge with modern scientific base and technological support, so that it could be scaled up commercially. To materialize these objectives, an ‘Adaptation Framework’ has been developed for the state of Orissa, which could be a pragmatic way to build upon the existing momentum of risk management of hazards and mitigation efforts.

* Dr. M. A. Khalid is an ecologist with more than 18 years of experience in research, teaching and training in biodiversity, fisheries, climate change and remote sensing. Presently, he is Deputy Director & Associate Professor at the Amity Institute of Global Warming & Ecological Studies, Amity University, India.

** Mr. Debojyoti Chakrabory is a Lecturer at the Amity Institute of Global Warming & Ecological Studies, Amity University, India. He has done his masters in Environment Management from the Forest Research Institute University, Dehradun, India.

*** Mr. A. S. Ashwin is a Research Associate at the Amity Institute of Global Warming & Ecological Studies, Amity University, India. He did his Master’s in Forest Economics & Management from Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.

**** Kundan K. Burnwal is a Research Associate the Amity Institute of Global Warming & Ecological Studies, Amity University, India. He has Masters in Environment Management from Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.