The Himalayan Dilemma

A new view of world regional catastrophes in the making and the forces that shape them emerges from this major account of the physical and human geography of the Himalaya. The authors' detailed study of the complex dynamics of the world's most magnificent and endangered mountain eco-system offers a radical reappraisal of the problems facing the Himalayan region which is relevant to a study of all the world's fragile mountain environments. They critically analyse current conventional theory linking the post-1950 population explosion with mountain deforestation, soil erosion, and massive downstream destruction. Many of the assumptions behind this thinking are shown to be invalid; others are demonstrated to be unproven - even dangerous. This authoritative and highly readable text explores the environmental and socio-economic situation in the Himalayan area, and examines the extent of the supercrisis believed to be threatening to engulf the region and its 400 million people. Developing a deeper historical perspective, the authors show that much deforestation occurred hundreds of years ago, and that widespread damage was caused by two centuries of colonial attitudes and government policies. Most important, in the authors' view, is the role played by the mountain subsistence farmer who must be recognized not so much as the cause of the problems in the Himalaya, but as the vital key to their solution. Ives and Messerli demonstrate the need to reassess much foreign aid and development policy. They also call for a new supra-national response to avert a crisis in the Himalaya. The Himalayan Dilemma is therefore an important text for policy makers and aid professionals as well as students of environmental studies and international development.