This paper brings out the issues related to natural resource exists, management and erosion right from the ancient to modern era. The natural resource such as forests and forest products were found as a basic source o...This paper brings out the issues related to natural resource exists, management and erosion right from the ancient to modern era. The natural resource such as forests and forest products were found as a basic source of survival for living organisms during the initial period. Later, the natural resources started degrading slowly and steadily due to increased human activities. In the beginning, natural resources were the primary assets for the growth of agriculture, industry, urbanization etc. Subsequently, increased anthropogenic activities started degrading the forest cover on a large scale through extending the agricultural land scape and other developmental activities in the country. The importance of traditional knowledge regarding resource conservation, protection of sacred grooves, endangered species etc. started declining in modern India. Innovativeness and policy framework for resource conservation and utilization became unfriendly in addition to gradual decline of community management. The key findings of the study point to major gaps existing such as between line departments and institutions in the promotion and management of forests, human welfare, agriculture, animal husbandry etc. Moreover, people tend to be more inclined towards the utilization of natural resources rather than conservation. From an observational and practical point of view, the natural resource has been declining rapidly in India. Therefore, this study strongly suggests that a due attention be directed towards developing people-friendly and environment friendly conservation strategies.展开更多
The aim of the study was to evaluate the impacts of the transition from wood fuel to Liquefied Petroleum Gas （LPG） from energy use and health perspectives along an altitudinal gradient （viz., lower altitude; middle...The aim of the study was to evaluate the impacts of the transition from wood fuel to Liquefied Petroleum Gas （LPG） from energy use and health perspectives along an altitudinal gradient （viz., lower altitude; middle altitude; and higher altitude） of the Central Himalayas. Empirical field study and questionnaire based survey was conducted for obtaining the data. A total of 2o households from each altitude were selected for obtaining reliable information on the actual quantity of fuelwood consumed. Of the 2o households, five households each based on the family size i.e., small families （〈4 members）, medium （5-8 members） and large （〉9 members） from all the altitudinal regions were selected. This was followed by an administration of a questionnaire on the quantity of fuelwood consumed. After the completion of the questionnaire survey, the data was validated using a weighted survey for the randomly selected households for obtaining precise information on the actual quantity of fuelwood consumed. Energy analysis is done with respect to the time spent on fuelwood collection and energy value of burning of per kg of fuelwood. Study indicates that declining biomass requirement from forests contributes significantly towards energy conservation, also has positive impact on human health. Per capita annual energy expenditure on collection of fuelwood is 752 MJ which is higher than any other activity in villages of Central Himalaya. The LPG substitution has contributed to energy saving which is equivalent to 2976-3,742 MJ per capita per year in middle and lower altitudes respectively. In the higher altitude the energy saving is calculated to be about 257 MJ per capita per year. Replacing fuelwood with LPG has made positive impact on society in terms of improving the health while reducing diseases that are caused due to indoor air pollution.展开更多
文摘This paper brings out the issues related to natural resource exists, management and erosion right from the ancient to modern era. The natural resource such as forests and forest products were found as a basic source of survival for living organisms during the initial period. Later, the natural resources started degrading slowly and steadily due to increased human activities. In the beginning, natural resources were the primary assets for the growth of agriculture, industry, urbanization etc. Subsequently, increased anthropogenic activities started degrading the forest cover on a large scale through extending the agricultural land scape and other developmental activities in the country. The importance of traditional knowledge regarding resource conservation, protection of sacred grooves, endangered species etc. started declining in modern India. Innovativeness and policy framework for resource conservation and utilization became unfriendly in addition to gradual decline of community management. The key findings of the study point to major gaps existing such as between line departments and institutions in the promotion and management of forests, human welfare, agriculture, animal husbandry etc. Moreover, people tend to be more inclined towards the utilization of natural resources rather than conservation. From an observational and practical point of view, the natural resource has been declining rapidly in India. Therefore, this study strongly suggests that a due attention be directed towards developing people-friendly and environment friendly conservation strategies.
文摘The aim of the study was to evaluate the impacts of the transition from wood fuel to Liquefied Petroleum Gas （LPG） from energy use and health perspectives along an altitudinal gradient （viz., lower altitude; middle altitude; and higher altitude） of the Central Himalayas. Empirical field study and questionnaire based survey was conducted for obtaining the data. A total of 2o households from each altitude were selected for obtaining reliable information on the actual quantity of fuelwood consumed. Of the 2o households, five households each based on the family size i.e., small families （〈4 members）, medium （5-8 members） and large （〉9 members） from all the altitudinal regions were selected. This was followed by an administration of a questionnaire on the quantity of fuelwood consumed. After the completion of the questionnaire survey, the data was validated using a weighted survey for the randomly selected households for obtaining precise information on the actual quantity of fuelwood consumed. Energy analysis is done with respect to the time spent on fuelwood collection and energy value of burning of per kg of fuelwood. Study indicates that declining biomass requirement from forests contributes significantly towards energy conservation, also has positive impact on human health. Per capita annual energy expenditure on collection of fuelwood is 752 MJ which is higher than any other activity in villages of Central Himalaya. The LPG substitution has contributed to energy saving which is equivalent to 2976-3,742 MJ per capita per year in middle and lower altitudes respectively. In the higher altitude the energy saving is calculated to be about 257 MJ per capita per year. Replacing fuelwood with LPG has made positive impact on society in terms of improving the health while reducing diseases that are caused due to indoor air pollution.
