Anthropogenic Pressures on the Natural Resources in Fringe Areas of the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve

摘要

An assessment of anthropogenic pressure in the buffer forest areas of the recently notified Khagchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR) shows traditional dependence of the inhabitants of the fringe area settlements on forest-based natural resources. Buffer zone forests often act as the source of such resource needs with varying extraction frequencies. Observations on resources extraction patterns and use revealed the dependence of the inhabitants for their needs of fodder, fuelwood, timber and other NTFPs. Higher altitude settlements had higher dependency on the forest resources. The probability of use of fuel species such as Prunus cerasoides was maximum (0.88) and Resource Use index (RUI) was high for Leucosceptrum canum (670.6). The amounts of firewood used in winter were more with high collection frequency during morning sessions. Fuel species had many uses but space heating and preparation of drinks consumed maximum fuelwood. Similarly, the NTEPs were used for meeting the ethno -cultural and therapeutic needs. Forest resource use to provide inputs to the subsistence farming was also observed. Ecological impacts vary from settlement to settlement but point to long-term impacts of such anthropogenic pressures. Resources contributed by forests and other sources were far more ( > 90% in case of fodder) than the production of farm-based resources. Open grazing by animals ranges from 62% to 80% with transhumance practices prevailing at higher altitudes. Some animals showed high bite rates and foraging periods, and could be regarded as threat to the existing ecosystem. The present status of resources has been interpreted by analysing the landuse/land cover by remote sensing methods. Judicious management of the fringe area settlements in terms of village socioeconomy, resource needs and enhanced on-farm based resource production may reduce such pressures. Further enhancement of local knowledge in conservation efforts could be the options for resolving future resource problems. Emphasis on better livelihood options of the local communities vis-a-vis legal protection of resources would help in minimizing such pressures in such a newly created protected area.