Learning ‘from’ and ‘with’ the Locals: Traditional Knowledge Systems for Environmental Sustainability in the Himalayas

Acknowledgments
Introduction
References
Contents
Part I: Traditional Knowledge Systems in Conservation Efforts in the Himalayas
	To the Ones Who Listen to the Mountains: Evaluating the Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Conservation Efforts in the Himalayas
		1	 Himalayan Ecosystem
			1.1	 Causes of Degradation of the Himalayan Ecosystem
			1.2	 Impact of Urban Development
		2	 Traditional Ecological Knowledge
			2.1	 Introduction and Explanation of TEK
			2.2	 Conservation Importance of TEK
			2.3	 Types of TEK and Its Application for Land Management in the Himalayas
				2.3.1	 Socio-economic Applications TEK
				2.3.2	 Socio-ecological Applications of TEK
				2.3.3	 Socio-cultural Application of TEK
		3	 Role of Grassroot Movements
		4	 Conclusions
		References
	The Biocultural and Conservation Role of Sacred Groves in Jarey Gewog, Lhuentse Dzongkhag, Bhutan: A Case Study
		1	 Introduction
		2	 Concepts of Sacred Groves
		3	 Ecological Importance of Sacred Groves
		4	 Threats and Deterioration of Sacred Groves
		5	 Sacred Groves in Bhutan: Prevalence and Bio-cultural Importance
		6	 Study Site and Data Collection Method
			6.1	 Study Area
			6.2	 Ethnographic Interview
			6.3	 Floristic Assessment in Sacred Groves and Comparative Sites
			6.4	 Vegetation Sampling Method
			6.5	 Data Collection Method
			6.6	 Data Analysis
				6.6.1	 Species Composition
				6.6.2	 Species Diversity, Evenness and Similarity Index
					Species Diversity
					Concentration of Dominance (Cd)
					Species Richness
					Species Evenness
		7	 Results
			7.1	 Narrative and Distribution of Sacred Groves from the Study Site
			7.2	 Beliefs, Taboos, Prohibitions, and Rituals
			7.3	 Temporal Prohibitions
			7.4	 Permanent Prohibitions
			7.5	 Rituals and Festivals
			7.6	 Threats and Deterioration of Sacred Groves
			7.7	 Vegetation of Sacred Groves and Comparative Sites (Non-sacred Forest)
				7.7.1	 Species Composition
				7.7.2	 Species Diversity, Richness, Dominance, and Evenness
		8	 Discussions
			8.1	 Socio-cultural Importance of Sacred Groves
			8.2	 Vegetational Characterization of Sacred Groves and Non-sacred Forest
			8.3	 Resource Management and Conservation Importance
			8.4	 Integrating Sacred Groves into Conservation Strategies
		9	 Conclusion
		10	 Recommendations
		Glossary
		References
	Indigenous Acquaintance and Perceptions of Local Inhabitants towards Biodiversity Conservation in Talra Wildlife Sanctuary, North Western Himalaya, India
		1	 Introduction
		2	 Materials and Methods
			2.1	 Study Area
			2.2	 Methodology
		3	 Results and Discussion
			3.1	 Biodiversity and Utilizing Patterns
			3.2	 Indigenous Uses
			3.3	 Demographic Information of Informants
			3.4	 People Perceptions towards Biodiversity Preservation
		4	 Management Strategy
		5	 Conclusions
		References
Part II: Mountains, Locals and their Engagement with Nature for a Sustainable Future
	Pollinators and Pollination Management through Indigenous Knowledge Based Adaptation in Indian Trans-Himalayan Region: Climate Change Perspective
		1	 Introduction
		2	 Study Area
		3	 Methodology
			3.1	 Discussion with Local Communities
			3.2	 Skill Development (Capacity Building) Training Program
			3.3	 Documentation of Traditional Knowledge
		4	 Results and Discussions
			4.1	 The Decline of Domesticated and Wild Pollinators
			4.2	 Causes of Pollinator Decline
			4.3	 Consequences of Loss of Pollination Services in the Region
			4.4	 Approaches for Effective Management of Pollinator Diversity
			4.5	 Long-term Pollinator Management Strategy and Action Plan Proposals for the Region
		5	 Conclusion
		6	 Way Forward
		References
	From Nature to Nurture: Uncovering the Medicinal Plant Resources of Dorokha, Bhutan through Ethnobotanical Research
		1	 Introduction
		2	 Materials and Methods
			2.1	 Study Area
			2.2	 Data Collection and Analysis
		3	 Result and Discussions
		4	 Conclusion
		References
	Revitalizing Traditional Knowledge of the Himalayan Indigenous Tribes: An Ethnoecological and Ethnobotanical Approach
		1	 Introduction
			1.1	 Medicinal Plant Resources in India
			1.2	 Overview of the Himalayan Region and Its Diversity
			1.3	 Concept of Ethnobotany and Ethnoecology
				1.3.1	 Ethnobotany
				1.3.2	 Ethnoecology
		2	 Utilization of Medicinal Plant Resources
			2.1	 Traditional Herbal Healers and Tribal Communities
			2.2	 Cultivation and Promotion
			2.3	 Pharmaceutical Industries
		3	 Threats to Medicinal Plant Resources
			3.1	 Loss of Indigenous Knowledge
			3.2	 Biodiversity Loss
			3.3	 Bioprospecting
			3.4	 Climate Change
			3.5	 Improper Implementation of Government Policies
		4	 Conclusions and Recommendations
		References
	Traditional Agroforestry Practices in the Indian Himalayas
		1	 Introduction
		2	 Traditional Agroforestry Systems (TAFS)
		3	 Role of Traditional Agroforestry Systems
			3.1	 Biodiversity Conservation
			3.2	 Biomass Production & Carbon Storage
			3.3	 Profitability
			3.4	 Soil & Water Conservation
		4	 Constraints
		5	 Future Directions
		6	 Conclusion
		References
Part III: Environmental Challenges and Peoples’ Responses in the Himalayas
	Environmental Determinism in the Age of Human Influence Among Indigenous People of Singalila National Park (SNP), Northeastern Himalayan Mountain Ecosystem, India
		1	 Introduction
			1.1	 Background
			1.2	 Research Gap and Objectives
			1.3	 Location of the Study
			1.4	 Purpose of the Selection of the Study Area
			1.5	 Significance of the Study
			1.6	 Limitations of the Study
		2	 Data and Methodology
		3	 History and Geographical Background of the Study Area
			3.1	 History of Singalila National Park
			3.2	 Name of Settlement: Origin and Significance
			3.3	 Physiography
			3.4	 Flora & Fauna
			3.5	 Population
		4	 Results and Findings
			4.1	 Maneybhanjang to Phalut, through the SNP: General Facts and Observations
			4.2	 Forest, Medicinal Plant: Threat and Conservation
			4.3	 Poisonous Plants of Sandakphu
			4.4	 Population and Hamlets (Settlements)
			4.5	 Economic Structure
			4.6	 Ethnic Composition
			4.7	 Health, Medicinal Plants, Forest Dependency
			4.8	 Water Resource
			4.9	 Education
			4.10	 Connectivity, Tourism, and Heritage
			4.11	 Trekking Corridor
			4.12	 Food/Beverages
			4.13	 Forest Department: Rules and Regulations
		5	 Conclusion and Recommendation
		References
	Threats to Pheasants and Evaluation of Their Conservation Status in the Western Himalaya, India: Establishing New Conservation Areas
		1	 Introduction
		2	 Study Area
		3	 Methodology
			3.1	 Data Collection
			3.2	 Data Analyses
				3.2.1	 Generation of a Threat Index for the Surveyed Forest Patches
				3.2.2	 Assigning Conservation Value to Different Pheasant Species
		4	 Results
			4.1	 Mean Threat Score for Sites
			4.2	 Conservation Assessment of Pheasant Species as Well as Localities
		5	 Discussion
			5.1	 Intensity of Biotic Pressure on Pheasants at Various Locations in Kumaon
			5.2	 Assessment of the Conservation Status of Pheasant Species and Their Respective Habitats
			5.3	 Conservation Strategies and Recommendations for Pheasant Species Conservation
				5.3.1	 Where to Conserve?
				5.3.2	How to Conserve?
		6	 Conclusion
		References
Part IV: Possible Way Forward: Documenting Traditional Knowledge and Situating Its Implications
	A Review on Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Indigenous Communities of Northeast India
		1	 Introduction
		2	 Forest Management
		3	 Agricultural Practices
		4	 Fishing Practices
		5	 Wildlife Hunting and Conservation
		6	 Disaster Management
		7	 Wild Edible Plants
		8	 Medicinal Plants
		9	 Traditions and Culture
		10	 Handicrafts
		11	 Handloom Weaving
		12	 Traditional Dyes
		13	 Forecasts and Beliefs
		14	 Local Food and Beverages
		15	 Conclusion
		References
	The Link Between Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Climate Science
		1	 Introduction
		2	 Traditional Understanding of Natural Environment
		3	 Weather Forecasting
		4	 Traditional Ecological Practices
			4.1	 Disaster Preparedness
			4.2	 Water Resource Management
			4.3	 Curing Climate Sensitive Diseases
			4.4	 Conserving Biodiversity
			4.5	 Restoration and Protection of Ecosystems
			4.6	 Managing Field and Farming
			4.7	 Agricultural and Fishing Practises
				4.7.1	 The Link Between Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Climate Science
		5	 Conclusion
		References
	Environment and Development: Balancing Progress, Preserving the Planet and Fostering Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
		1	 Introduction
		2	 Balancing Progress and Sustainability
		3	 Harmony in Nature in for a Sustainable Future
		4	 From Challenges to Solutions: Charting a Course for Sustainable Development
		5	 Nurturing the Environment for Sustainable Development
		6	 Collaboration for Change: Enabling Environment and Development Synergy
			6.1	 The Need for Collaboration
			6.2	 Successful Collaborative Initiatives
			6.3	 Enabling Collaboration for Change
		7	 Conclusion
		References