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Impact of Change on the Landscapes of Ecodevelopment Area, Himachal Pradesh
The above table shows that in the 30 years (1961-91) there had been nearly 9 km2 increase in the area under the Habitation/Agriculture/Orchards in the EDA among the different watersheds. This change was maximum (5km) in Tirthan sub-watershed compare to only (1.16sqkm) in the Jiwanal sub-watershed, However if see in proportion Jiwa had experienced a maximum increase of 4.93% followed by
Tirthan (3.99%) and Sainj (2.17%). The table reveals that in this period there had been some area, which was in use in 1961 but was not found in use (visual interpretation) in 1991(1.6%). The table reveals that there had been near about 39% increase in the total population of EDA between 1961 and 1991. Out of this Tirthan had experienced maximum (67%) closely followed by Sainj (66%) Strangely enough the Jiwa watershed area had experienced a negative population; this seemed to be due to heavy out migration from the area.
Conclusion:
The unidirectional change (toward forest) in landuse/cover was also observed in the area. The experienced a significant increase of fuel wood consumption of about 80%. Where nearly 85% increase was there in fodder consumption in the Tirthan and Sainj showed about 64% increase over the 30 years.
ONCLUSION
The negative population was experienced in Jiwa watershed seemed to be because of heavy migration. The 11 forest and six non forest types in EDA shows the rich diversity in the area needs more attention towards conservation strategies and monitoring of the area.
Acknowledgement
We are tanked to, Director, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun for research support and encouragement. We are grateful to Prof. P.S. Roy, Dr. Sarnam Singh, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) Dehradun and Dr. C. P. Kala, Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi Katarmal, Almora, Uttarnchal for their valuable suggestions. We are thanked to researchers, GIS staff, frontline staff of GHNP Project and Shri C.M.S Adhikari, NRDMS Centre, Almora for carrying out the field studies and desktop assistance respectively.
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