Land use in a Himalayan catchment under stress: system responses

The conversion of unsustainable agricultural lands to wastelands in the mountains of Garhwal Himalaya, India, is caused by lack of consistent water supply, fragmented holdings on tough terrain, low crop yields, lack of potential for intensive agriculture, inadequate vegetation to support livestock, and dependence on agriculture and the subsequent impacts on surrounding resources. A study of management practices in one catchment area addressed the perceptions of current social, economic, and biological problems among villagers. Alternative management practices were developed and implemented in cooperation with villagers.