Livelihood systems are more than sets of material and economic conditions. They cater to a number of human needs. The contributors to this volume maintain that a livelihood system embraces not just economic conditions for physical subsistence but provides material continuity and cultural meaning to the life of a family.

Papers In The Volume Address Issues Relating To Water Resources Sustainable Livelihoods And Eco-System Sciences In India-Emerging Problems Of Urban And Industrial Pollution, Analyse Institution Of Water Management And Aquatic Eco-System. Also Point Out Future Challenges And Directions For Policy Makers.

In recent years, knowledge systems have become key areas of concern for researchers, policy-makers and developmental activists. Knowledge Systems and Natural Resources is a unique collection of case studies from Nepal. It provides rich and incisive insights into critical social processes and deliberative governance. It analyses how knowledge is produced, disseminated and applied in various aspects of natural resource governance in Nepal. The book challenges the dichotomy between traditional and scientific knowledge. It proposes to differentiate among systems of knowledge on the basis of political standing of social actors engaged in natural resource governance. It further proposes that change in governance hinges on how the diverse systems of knowledge come into deliberative interface and to what extent the unequal distribution of power and knowledge resources in society constrain the process of deliberation.

This book conducts a holistic analysis of climate change perceptions, vulnerabilities, impacts, and adaptation, based on the primary household-data collected from the Chepang community residing in the rural Mid-Hills of Nepal. Socio-economic and demographic data from the household survey is integrated with meteorological and spatial data to conduct an integrated analysis. Quantitative analysis is also supplemented by qualitative information. Given the context of ongoing climate change, the livelihoods issues of a highly marginalized Chepang community form the center-point of analysis. The book demonstrates that balanced assets possession is a prerequisite to strengthen the adaptive capacity of the households. Furthermore, the ability of translating adaptive capacity into adaptation actions is determined by the households’ ability to correctly perceive the changes and their access to various assets. The book recommends to ensure the availability of non-farm livelihood opportunities along with access to formal/vocational education and skill development training as these are the key factors contributing to reduce the vulnerability. The book concludes that mainstreaming of climate change into development efforts is a must for sustainable development.

This report examines the opportunities for developing equitable and efficient means to manage water resources in the Dudh Koshi river system in Nepal. The report suggests economically and environmentally sustainable management considering challenges that involve climate change. The study proposes a strategic planning framework that covers the holistic, technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects of integrated water resources management and development of the river system. It also contributes to strategic planning from a basin-wide perspective by supporting the design of the Dudh Koshi Storage Hydroelectric Project.

This monograph examines contemporary environmental challenges facing Nepal, this landlocked country’s representativeness in the wider South Asian context is both distinct and generalizable. In large part, this is because of its extremes of physiographical structure- plains, hill ranges, mountainous massifs - and wide range of altitudinal terrains, which represent and replicate South Asian and East Asian continental conditions differing as markedly as humid tropical lowlands, sub-tropical hill ranges and temperate to sub-arctic mountainous environments. Associated forest regimes, in which deforestation and reforestation patterns have evolved in recent times, and differing densities of settlement and cleared agricultural landscapes in each of these altitudinal zones, add to the environmental diversity of Nepal. Associated fauna and exotic species are in various states of endangerment especially Bengal tigers, one horned rhinos, wild elephants, crocodile, musk deer, and peasants, to name a few- so that their forested and mountainous habitats as ‘Wild Life Reserves’ also deserve our attention, and are featured in this monograph’s remit.