Ecological, Social and Commercial Role of Lichens in India with ...

Acdemia Arena 2010, Supplement 0201
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People and forest management
The primary occupation of the peoples is agriculture, but owing to the subsistence nature
of hill agriculture, they are partially dependent on surrounding forest resources for their livelihood.
Local people are dependent on the resources of different forests and alpine pastures mainly for
grazing of sheep and goats and collection of timber and non-timber forest produces (Ringal, herbs,
fungi, lichens and medicinal & aromatic plants). A substantial number of residents and migratory
sheep and goat depend on the grazing resources of forest. The local people have been using these
forests for generations and continue to exercise number of rights in the area.
Human population
Until recently, ten of big villages with between 80 and 150 families had the right of
habitation in the KWLS, according to the rights of Makku Van Panchayat (Makku village) has been
permanent rights but the other nine villages remain in habitat no permanent rights throughout the
year. The area, villagers practice small-scale cultivation, herd livestock, and have other rights,
including the right to various forest products.
Human population pressures
The grazing of sheep and goats in the protected areas and in high-altitude thatches
(meadows), collection of medicinal, aromatic, edible herbs and plants for locally used, collection of
fuel wood is degrading the habitat, extraction of timber is deforesting the area, disturbing the
animals, and threatening many species with local extinction.
Livestock is one of the most important economic resources of the local people. Every
household invariably keeps a few cows and many more sheep and goats. These animals are usually
kept for wool, meat and manure. Sheep’s wool is used by the villager for making blankets,
sweaters, and shawls, while goat hair is used for making blankets only. The dung of these animals
is of course, good manure for the fields.
Local people, as well as people from neighbouring areas, graze their livestock in the
protected area like KWLS. Migrant grazing is seasonal from May- November. During those
months, goats and sheep are herded to high-altitude pastures or thatches. Grazing of sheep and
goats in what is now KWLS has been taking place for generations. For many local people it is more
a way of life than an economic activity.
Flock size is variable, generally is varies from 300 to 500 animals each flock. The number of
the grazers accompanying a 400-500 animals is generally five to six grazers. Each flock contains
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