Prof. S.P. Singh
Chair Professor, Centre for Himalayan Studies, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun

• The project has a strong research component as well as a societal component to address the three cross-cutting themes of the NMHS viz., climate proofing, gender equality and communications. The outcome of which will lead to certain tangible and intangible benefits to a variety of stakeholders. In general, Researchers, Planners/policy makers, Forest Dept./Wildlife Dept./Protected Area managers/Agriculture and Horticulture Deptts./Climatologists/State & Central Government at regional/National scale/ National and global environment agencies will be benefitted through the knowledge and data base generated from this hitherto least investigated HMSF ecosystems. This project would thus provide the hitherto unavailable data that is necessary for management of the fragile MS forest ecosystems exposed to climate change. It would benefit people either dependent on forests directly for their livelihood (tribals, Gujjars, nomads etc.), or those who are associated with agriculture, horticulture and tourism.
• The tangible benefits in terms of trainings and capacity building, linkages with financial institution and Govt. livelihood programmes, participatory action research methods, livelihood improvement and income generation through the sustainable use of natural resources would follow particularly to the 50 households in 5 villages of in Gangotri of Uttarkashi Distt. dependent upon the forests for various ecosystem goods and services. Also, trekkers and tourists (eco-tourism and religious tourism) passing through the study area will be benefitted to a limited extent.