Abstract

The fragile landscape of Himalaya harbors a wide range of natural resource dependent communities. However, they are the primary receivers for any adverse social and environmental changes. The study explored the impact of climate variability, disaster, migration, and wildlife on resource utilization pattern of two natural resource dependent Socio-Ecological Systems (SESs) in the Central Himalaya. Integrated SES framework-based household survey and non-parametric statistical tests (Pearson's Chi-square test of homogeneity and Mann–Whitney U tests) were used to draw the conclusions. Results indicated that resource dependency and socio-environmental risks are heterogeneously distributed in the SESs. Climate change and wildlife intrusion were the most widespread risks causing agricultural decline, forest, and water degradation. Whereas the impact of migration and disasters were localized. However, an overall negative impact of risks on resource dependency was ubiquitously perceived. Diverse coping, disengagement, and adaptive responses were observed that indicated resilience of resource dependent SESs in the Central Himalaya.

摘要

喜马拉雅山脆弱的地貌蕴藏着大量依赖自然资源的社区。然而，它们是任何不利的社会和环境变化的主要接收者。该研究探讨了气候变异、灾害、迁徙和野生动物对喜马拉雅中部两个依赖自然资源的社会生态系统 (SES) 资源利用模式的影响。综合基于 SES 框架的住户调查和非参数统计检验（Pearson 同质性卡方检验和 Mann-Whitney U 检验）用于得出结论。结果表明资源依赖和社会环境风险在 SES 中呈异质分布。气候变化和野生动物入侵是导致农业衰退、森林和水资源退化的最普遍的风险。而移民和灾害的影响是局部的。然而，人们普遍认为风险对资源依赖的总体负面影响。观察到不同的应对、脱离和适应性反应，表明喜马拉雅中部依赖资源的 SES 具有弹性。